Kids School Lunch Makeovers

September 02, 2011, By Nanette Wiser 0 comments

Want to be the cool dad—the one the kids talk about at school when they open their Spiderman lunchbox? Or maybe you just want your kids to have a healthy meal to keep them energized throughout their day. Either way, here are some ideas for making their lunches more fun and tasty and offer some variety beyond the same old boring sandwiches.  

Better-Than-Sandwich Lunch Ideas

• Fill cut celery with peanut butter; add some shredded carrots or raisins on top for more color.
• Smear sliced apples with peanut butter and roll in sunflower seeds. This keeps them from sticking to the container when you package them. Use non-stick foil to keep them fresh.
• Make a bunch of tuna sandwiches using salad dressing instead of mayo. Freeze each in a zip-top bag. Pull out one in the morning, and it will thaw in time for lunch. Some brands of yogurt freeze well too.
• Add barbeque sauce to leftover meat and include a whole-wheat roll or corn muffin.
• Chop up veggies—summer squash, cukes, cauliflower and broccoli—and include two kinds of dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing and hummus.
• Pack left-over Chinese food—it makes a great lunch, especially chop suey or lo mein. Pack some chopsticks and let them enjoy.
• Use a thermos for soup: Ramen soups in multiple flavors or Campbell's soup for one. Add their favorite crackers.
• Toss in fruit salad and small bags of their favorite nuts, dried fruits and sunflower seeds. They are light and flavorful.
• Make chicken salad with yogurt, cream cheese or low fat dressing. Add chopped apples and dried cranberries. Let your kids roll up the chicken salad in tortillas.
• Combine sliced hot dogs and beans for easy microwaving.
• Pack potato salad (no mayo) with cut-up veggies and ham.
• Get fancy with fake crab and cocktail sauce with saltine crackers.
• Slice apples or pears and include low-fat caramel sauce for dessert dipping.
• Try instant oatmeal with raisins or apples and fresh melon—breakfast for lunch.
• Pack pre-baked potatoes, stuffed and ready to microwave. Try chives, shredded cheese, and bacon bits.
• Mix hash browns with chopped ham, top with cheese and into the microwave it goes.
• Chicken wings, ranch dressing, celery and carrot sticks.
• Leftover casserole or stews, especially lasagna or meatballs.

Get the kids to help. They are less likely to “trade” away their lunch if they get to choose what they like. And throw in a fortune cookie, message stickers, a joke or a note in their lunch—any surprise will be a cool treat from dad.