Healthy and Delicious School Lunch Ideas

Everybody has different tastes when it comes to lunch. Whether you are packing lunch for yourself or your kids, here are some healthy and delicious lunch ideas. Pick any one, or mix and match to create a full meal. A microwave at school is recommended but not required for some of these ideas.

A word on fats: Contrary to popular belief, saturated fat like that found in butter is part of a healthy diet. It's what gives cell wall structure and without it, cell growth is not even possible (this is why breast milk is high in saturated fat). As with most things, moderation and balance is key. For most people, the consumption of unhealthy amounts of fat is self-limiting. Your stomach will let you know when you've gotten enough fat and you will stop eating. (Carbs are a different story. Most people can eat large amounts of carobohydrates without ever feeling full. It is the combination of too many carbs combined with large amounts of fat that can cause health problems.)

Buttery Grilled Cheese
What makes a grilled cheese healthy or unhealthy depends mostly on the bread. Use wheat bread that has the lowest carbohydrate count and highest fiber you can find. You will notice zero difference in the taste. Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a pan on very low heat, place the cheese between the bread slices, and grill on both sides until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. It is very rich which makes it great for a quick lunch where you need to fill up fast.

Beef Tacos with vegetables
An easy and quick dish to make. A little messy, but it provides you with lots of protein, unrefined carbs, and healthy fats. Brown some beef in a pan with taco seasoning and stuff some taco shells. Add lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. Bring along some microwavable frozen vegetable packs to supplement some fiber and vitamins and voila -- a healthy and filling lunch.

Greek Salad
If you've been snacking or just don't feel hungry, this is a great way to get some fiber, healthy fats, and unrefined carbs. Take some lettuce, mix in olives, feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, and drizzle with olive oil. Add some nuts of your choosing or pepperoni for some added protein.

Olive Fried Feta Potatoes
Nutritionally, not the most diverse dish around, but extremely delicious and a great source of unrefined carbs and healthy fats. Pour some olive oil in a pan, medium-low heat, and added some sliced potatos about 1/4 cm. thick. Cook until the potatos are brown on both sides. Cook them even longer if you want them extra crispy. Drain the excess olive oil and add some feta cheese and salt.

Condiments and extras
Part of being creative with your lunch ideas is, well, being creative! Add some spices and herbs like rosemary, oregano, red peppers, or garlic. Toss in almonds, peanuts, or walnuts.

Experiment! You can often change the entire taste and texture of a lunch by adding one or two ingredients. Be mindful of your particular metabolic type and never eat the same thing for lunch more than two days in a row. Happy lunching!

Ben Piper is a health and wellness expert and founder of Christian Financial Freedom (www.ChristianFinancialFreedom.com)