Creative Lunchbox Additions

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Sep 2009 03:25 PM

Millions of students across the country headed back to class today. For many parents these first few weeks of September mark the honeymoon phase of the new school year, especially if you pack your child's lunch everyday.

In a few months your kids will likely be as tired of your home packed lunches as you are making them. To preserve your sanity and your children's taste buds consider adding a bit of spice to your kids' lunchboxes with the following international offerings:

ITALIAN

Kids love pizza, so why not pack your own by topping mini-bagels with tomato sauce, pepperoni and cheese. Other lunch box options include tortellini, meats, and a variety of cheeses with bite-sized crackers. If you have hearty eaters pack "birds nests" made from angel hair pasta topped with sauce and turkey meatball "eggs."

MEXICAN

Baked corn chips, black beans, cheese wedges and fresh pico de gallo with jicama sticks make a nutritious and delicious lunch. Homemade tamales and turkey burritos work well too or consider packing a cheese quesadilla with a thermos of tomato cheddar soup.

MEDITERRANEAN

Consider packing a hummus and spinach wrap with cherry tomatoes, string cheese, and yogurt. Or pack some hummus (try lemon or red pepper flavors for a twist) with some pita chips, veggies, crackers or mini bagels.

ASIAN

Options include: Whole wheat or buckwheat noodles with peanut sauce, sugar snap peas, a pear, almonds and a fortune cookie. Tuna salad with grated carrots, served with crackers or in a pita. Some kids would be overjoyed to find leftover take-out potstickers packed cold with ponzu sauce or peanut sauce in their lunchbox. Marinated cucumbers, broccoli or sugar snap peas and leftover vegetable fried rice are also great additions. If your children like sushi you could make vegetarian brown rice sushi rolls with soy or ponzu sauce.

Related Articles:

Healthy Back-to-School Snacks Your Kids Will Actually Eat

Healthy Lunchbox Treats for Kids

Nutritious Back-to-School Treats

Tips for Livening up Your Kid's School Lunch

Back-to-School Battle: Lunch

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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