Low Carbohydrate, Low Sugar Options for Healthy School Lunch Boxes

School is about to begin. Now is the time everyone starts making plans for next school year, and with the down economy many of us must consider sending sack lunches to school with the kids. This is not only more economic, but a healthier alternative to school lunches. After having two family members asked to begin a diabetic diet regimen for health reasons, I decided that in order to prevent my children from growing up obese, and unhealthy I would change their diet, too. Even with school in session I am determined to make sure the kids eat the healthiest diet they can. That means steering away from pre-packaged lunches, and snacks. While our family does enjoy a moderately low carbohydrate diet, it does not restrict carbohydrates high in protein. So, we are allowed to eat beans and fruit (in moderation). Here are a few of my families favorite lunchtime lunchbox creations. My family consists of five people, so most recipes feed five.

Pizza Tacos

This is very much like a Lunchable pizza kit, but making it from ingredients found in your home really curtails the costs.

Ingredients:

Low carbohydrate tortillas
2 cans tomato sauce
1 ½ cups Low-fat, Skim Mozzarella
1 pkg. Turkey pepperoni
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsps. Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. onion powder
Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix the tomato sauce, Italian Seasoning, garlic, and salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to incorporate flavors.

Place one tortilla in a large Ziploc bag. Next measure about a ¼ cup sauce, and place in a travel container. Add the Mozzarella and turkey pepperoni to individual Ziplocs. To eat place the tortilla down first, then spread the sauce onto the tortilla, add the Mozzarella and turkey pepperoni as desired.

Fruitastic Salad

This salad is a great addition to any lunchbox. Many kids love fruit, and this is a great simple way to get them to eat more.

Ingredients:

1 can cubed pineapple (reserve juice)
2 cans mandarin oranges
1 apple, sliced and cubed
1 cup slice strawberries
1 cup blueberries
2 tsp poppy seeds
2 Tbs. honey
Pecans optional

Drain and then combine all fruit ingredients in a bowl, reserving the pineapple juice. Add the poppy seeds, honey and pecans, and mix. Next add the pineapple juice a little at a time . You don't want the mixture runny, so add it slowly, mixing after each addition. You may not need all of the juice.

This salad can be refrigerated for several days, and is easily portable in a lunchbox.

Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

1 Apple, cored and diced
2 cans cooked chicken
¼ cup chopped pecans
½ cup mayonnaise with lime
¼ tsp ground red pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste

Core and cube the apple into small bite size pieces, then combine all ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. This makes a lovely sandwich, but can also be eaten without bread. We use the wheat bread with the lowest carbohydrate count.