Build an A+ lunch

Somewhere between deciding what’s for dinner and whether to pick up another gallon of milk — always! — you find yourself cooling off in the grocery’s refrigerator aisle trying to think of something for the kids’ lunch. Read more

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Trail Mix

Ingredient ideas:
Dry snacks: low-sugar cereal, small pretzels, mini rice cakes, animal crackers.
Dried fruits: raisins, cherries, apricots, coconut flakes.
Nuts and seeds: Peanuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.

Directions: Combine any or all of these ingredients into an airtight container and toss gently to mix. Stores for weeks.

Pineapple Kabobs

Ingredients:
Pineapple chunks
Marble cheese cubes (1/2-inch pieces)
Ham, cut into 1-inch squares
Toothpicks

Directions: Place a ham square, pineapple chunk, ham square and cheese cube on each toothpick.
Veggie version: Substitute teriyaki-flavored baked tofu for the ham and cheese.

Super Sub Sandwich

Ingredients:
Medium hero roll
sliced cheese
4 to 6 slices of deli meat
4 thin tomato slices
1/2 c. shredded lettuce
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Slice the hero roll in half lengthwise and scoop out some of the soft bread inside. Line both sides of the roll with your child’s favorite cheese and deli meat. Top with shredded lettuce and tomato slices. Sprinkle with oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper. Close the sandwich, cut it in half and wrap in plastic wrap.

Simple lunch box stuffers

• Fresh fruit, sliced or whole.
• Dried fruit.
• Raisins.
• Applesauce cups (no sugar added).
• Ants on a Log: Fill celery sticks with cream cheese or peanut butter, push in raisins for “ants.”
• Peanut butter with apple slices, or crackers.
• Sugar snap peas.
• Carrot sticks.
• Baby carrots with hummus.
• Nuts.
• Yogurt or a smoothie (watch the sugar).
• Low-fat pudding cups.
• Hard-boiled egg.
• Pretzels (extra credit if you buy whole grain).
• Air-popped popcorn.
• A note from Mom.
• Whole grain crackers.
• String cheese or cheese cubes.
• Lunch meat roll-ups with cream cheese.
• Leftovers.
• A thermos of hot soup.
• Trail mix made from cereal, nuts and dried fruit.
• Fruit leather made from real fruit (most “fruit snacks” are not).
• Granola bars (look for brands lower in sugar).
• Milk.
• Water.
• Flavored water drinks.
• 100% fruit juice.
• Don’t forget to include a couple of napkins, or a wet wipe if you pack something especially sticky.