5 Fast Healthy Lunches for Kids
May 09, 2011, By Trent Lorcher 0 comments
I thought I was really cool in middle school when I busted out the junk food for lunch and my friend was stuck eating healthy meals (that he strangely seemed to enjoy). A few years later, I thought my friend was really cool because he was the star of the football team and I had trouble walking up stairs.
I failed to make the connection between healthy eating and active living. We weren't very smart back then. Avoid making the same mistake I made with these five fast healthy lunches for kids.
1. Leftovers
I know what you're thinking. You took time out of your busy day to discover ways to help your kids eat healthy lunches that don't take a day-and-a-half to prepare and you see "leftovers." Before you click away, I want you to know that my job is to make the complicated simple.
If you ate a healthy dinner last night, what could be simpler than wrapping up a portion of it and sticking it in your kid's lunch box? Make sure that it's actually something your kid likes and something that tastes good without being warmed up.
2. The Healthy Sandwich
OK. I'm pressing my luck. A sandwich probably isn't what you expected in a healthy lunch. Back when we were kids, a sandwich was usually bologna on white bread, mayonnaise, a slice of processed cheese and some mustard. And, of course, a sandwich wasn't a sandwich without chips and a soda to go with it.
But times have changed. For a healthy meal, start with lean meat—non-processed, if possible. Instead of white bread, use whole wheat or a whole wheat wrap. If your child insists on mayonnaise, use light mayo. Ditch the cheese. If that's not an option, white cheese is a good choice, thinly sliced. Mustard rocks on any sandwich. Add vegetables, whatever your kids like. Popular choices include cucumbers, tomatoes and sprouts. Instead of chips and a soda, try apple slices and bottled water.
