Lunch Ideas

-- Balance and variety are the keys to packing a lunch kids will love. A healthy meal consists of an adequate serving of at least three of the following five food groups for balanced nutrition:

• Dairy—string cheese, cheese cubes, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, low-fat milk, pudding made with low-fat milk, calcium- and vitamin D-fortified orange juice
• Fruit—fresh fruit such as orange segments, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, pears, apples, dried fruit, 100 percent juice boxes, canned fruit cups in juice
• Vegetables—baby carrots, grape tomatoes, celery sticks, salsa, tomato juice, red bell peppers, broccoli
• Whole grains—whole-grain breads, tortillas, wraps, cereals, crackers
• Lean protein—beans, nuts, seeds, turkey, chicken, tuna, lean lunch meat, peanut butter, veggie burgers, bean salad, hummus

On a Roll

Scoop out a whole grain roll and fill it with tuna salad made with chopped apples and celery. Add cheese cubes, baby carrots and 100 percent fruit juice.


It's a Wrap!

Place a slice of turkey, Swiss cheese, a few leaves of fresh spinach and cranberry relish on a colorful wrap—and then wrap it up! Add a can of tomato juice and a piece of fresh fruit.

Salad Days

Toss a single-serving bag of ready-to-eat salad with low-fat dressing, cubes of lean meat, cheese and assorted veggies. Team with whole grain breadsticks and a carton of low-fat milk

Cool Kabobs

Throw kabobs of any kind into your child's lunchbox. Thread low-fat meat, low-fat cheese, pineapple and cherry tomatoes onto a stick. Include whole-grain crackers and a carton of milk.