How to Build Healthy Brown Bag Lunches for Your Kids

A nutritious lunch is a great way to help kids perform their best during the school year. A healthy brown bag lunch made with love each morning will help you know your child is eating healthy each day. So when the school lunch menu is not appealing, try these healthy brown bag lunch alternatives.

The perfect brown bag lunch contains a mix of nutrients to help keep kids going through a busy day of learning and activities. Pair the recipes outlined below with a side of fruit salad, yogurt or fresh fruit for a healthy brown bag lunch that your kids will love.

Easy Brown Bag Lunch for Kids: Turkey, Ham and Cheese Wrap Recipes

Easy to eat and hold onto, wrap sandwiches are a favorite for kids. Avoid the morning rush and make the wrap the night before.

Ingredients -

1 Wheat or Flour Tortilla

1 Leaf of Lettuce

1 tablespoon of ranch dressing

1 slice of provolone cheese

3 thin slices of ham

3 thin slices of turkey

Spread the ranch dressing on the tortilla. Place lettuce and then cheese on tortilla. Arrange turkey and ham to cover the tortilla and then roll and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. For variety, consider using mustard or Italian dressing instead of ranch dressing or substituting types of meat. A great tasting vegetarian variety can be made using a mixture of provolone, pepper jack and cheddar cheeses.

Kid's Favorite Brown Bag Lunch - Alphabet Pasta Salad

Make a memorable brown bag lunch featuring this tasty, alphabet pasta salad. It's easy to make ahead and stays fresh in the refrigerator for a few days so you'll have it on hand for the days your child wants to bring his own brown bag lunch.

Ingredients:

1 package of uncooked alphabet pasta

1 cup of fresh green pepper or red pepper thinly sliced into small, bite-size pieces

½ cup of green olives cut in half

12 slices of pepperoni sliced into quarters

1 cup of cubed mozzarella, low-fat cheese

½ cup of fat-free Italian dressing

Cook pasta as directed on the package. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water until cool. In a large bowl combine the cold, cooked pasta, vegetables, pepperoni and cheese and pour over Italian dressing. Mix together. Place in individual lunch-sized containers and refrigerate. Makes approximately 4 servings.

If alphabet pasta is not available, try tri-color wagon wheels or other fun pasta-shape.