School is almost back in session, which means kids won’t be eating lunch at home anymore. Sometimes it is easy to fall into the routine of letting your child eat the meals their school provides. However, it is no secret that packing your child’s meals for school can save you money and even provide a healthier alternative to the traditional school lunch. Having a lunch plan makes it easier to avoid those foods that aren't healthy for your little one's teeth! Check out these unique, healthy school lunch ideas…
Turkey Club Quesadilla
This cuisine-mixing take on a sandwich classic is a tummy pleaser for any age! It has all of the healthy ingredients of a traditional turkey club and the ease and convenience of a quesadilla!
- 2 Slices of Turkey
- 2 Slices of Bacon
- Lettuce (to taste)
- Tomato (to taste)
- 1/4 cup cheese mexican blend
- 2 Tortillas
Turn stove burner on medium to low heat. Spray lightly with cooking spray or oil. Place tortilla in pan and spring cheese on top. Place your bacon and turkey on the cheese until it is melted. Once the cheese is melted, remove it from the heat. Place your veggies inside and fold!
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your little one. The turkey club certainly isn’t the only sandwich that is quesadilla-worthy! You can make almost any sandwich this way!
Build Your Own Pizza Sandwich
School is a place for kids to learn and spark their creativity. All the more reason that school lunches should be a place for innovation and creative thinking too! Pack your child all the essentials to create their very own pizza sandwich, just the way that they like it!
Some kids think of it as a customized "Pizza Lunchable." All the best parts of that lunchbox classic, but better because it's healthier and contains your child's favorite toppings! We highly recommend customizing and substituting to create your little one's perfect pizza box. As an example, we went with...
- Bagel Crust (Options: Flour Tortilla, Pita Bread, English Muffin, etc)
- Pizza Sauce (we use the H-E-B Brand)
- Cheese (we use H-E-B Itialian blend)
- Pepperoni (use your little one's favorite toppings)
- Grapes (as a healthy side)
As you can see, there are so many ways to customize this lunch option for your kiddos. We've found the creative kids love this lunch idea. It is definitely a lunchbox favorite for many little artists.
Hot Dogs and Whole Wheat Buns
Hot dogs can be a fun way to mix up your child’s school lunch! Remember that not all hot dogs are created equal. Look for brands that use healthy ingredients.
Back in the day, hotdogs had a bad reputation. In a way, they still do. The truth is that a lot of companies are being more transparent about the products, as well as the quality, of what they use in their hot dogs and sausage. In fact, one of our favorite options for this quick lunch is vegetarian hot dogs (same taste, none of the quality questions). I always like to throw a bunch of quick sides to go along, especially fresh fruit!
This is a great meal, especially for children whose schools supply a microwave for heating student lunches. Even picky eaters tend to love this lunch option!
Mini Sandwich Skewers
This brown-bag option is perfect for little nibblers! These bite-sized sandwiches are ideal for even the tiniest of hands. Just like the quesadillas, this can be done with sandwich-type!
For this picky eater, we did a simple vegan Mayo with some little chunks of cheddar. This is great for the kids who like to graze and take smaller bites. If your little one is too young for the skewers, I recommend replacing them with pretzel sticks! For some little ones, that's the best part.
Of course, packing in healthy sides is a must too! This is not your traditional sandwich structure, but definitely, one little mouthes can appreciate!
Soup of the Day
Most kids have at least one soup that they favor, whether it’s chicken noodle, tomato bisque, or something less traditional. Let them pick the flavor and add a few side items. This might just be the easiest lunch you’ve made all year! Plus it could also be a great excuse to get your kids to try a new soup too! Great for the fall season and wintertime meals, especially once the colder weather starts moving in.
Pasta Leftovers
If there is one meal that almost always has leftovers, it is pasta! Pasta is a dish that a majority of children love for dinner. Most even enjoy it the next day as leftovers too. Plus it can be so simple, just depends on what your family's go-to ingredients and flavors are!
This is a convenient way for parents to use leftovers and have a quick packed lunch for the kids! It’s super easy to plan ahead and add a little extra into your recipe so there are enough leftovers for everyone the next day!
Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is another favorite that is a surprisingly easy meal to make for school lunches! This is a perfect “night before” recipe for busy parents who have an early start to their day. It is another great “leftover” meal to plan for both dinner and lunch the next day!
It is simple, healthy, and can be flavored in a variety of ways! In fact, each little one may have a favorite sauce that can be highlighted in this easy lunchbox dish! We think this may be one of the most underrated lunchbox options!
A healthy diet plays a huge role in your child’s oral health! School lunches are no exception so be sure that your child has healthy meals each day. For more tips on healthy lunches and back-to-school dental tips for your children, feel free to check some of Dr Casey's other Articles or contact us directly!
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