Fun Stuff for Kids
Follow these easy guidelines to transform bag
lunches from the everyday ho-hum to something delicious worth
Look for as much variety as you can. Use different types of
bread (or perhaps crackers, tortillas or rice cakes) for
sandwiches; cut sandwiches into different shapes; look for
different colors of fruit and vegetables.
Enlist your child's help in both choosing the foods for lunch
and preparing them. Don't give too many choices. Set
parameters for the choice: ask whether she would like grapes or
oranges, or a peanut butter or tuna sandwich.
time is of the essence, cut fruit and vegetables into
bite-size pieces, peel oranges or tangerines, and make sure food
is in easy-to-open containers.
Try low-fat ranch dressing for veggies and yogurt for fruit
to make this part of the meal more attractive.
If your child likes salads, include bits of leftover tuna,
chicken or beef for added protein.
Jazz up peanut butter sandwiches by including sliced
bananas, honey, marshmallow fluff, sliced apples or pretzels.
Surprise! It's not the same old sandwich anymore.
Leftover pizza is a great addition to a bag lunch.
Make fruit, vegetable or even cheese kabobs.
- To make sure your child gets enough calcium,
pack cheese cubes, string cheese, cottage cheese or pudding.
Encourage milk or water to drink.
Try hummus or other bean dips with crackers or baked pita
chips for a fun and easy-to-eat meal.
Add a sweet treat for dessert: two or three cookies,
pudding, graham crackers and a small muffin are all smart choices.
Instead of a plain brown bag ...
Pack your child's lunch in an insulated container that holds a
reusable cold pack, or use a frozen juice box to keep the rest of
the meal cold. A wide-mouth thermal container works great for soups
or chili. Use microwavable containers to store food safely. Add a
sticker, personal note, special napkin or other item that shows
you're thinking of your child.