Lunch


When my daughter started first grade I was trying to figure out what to pack her for lunch.  Walking through the store I saw chips, juice boxes, snack cakes, fruit snacks, crackers and packaged fruit.  Basically, if I packed this she would get sugar and fat for lunch.  I love dessert (not so much from a box), but when it's for dessert, not a meal.  I took a different approach and stocked up on bulk nuts, cheeses, meats, dried fruit, and a sturdy water bottle.  When pairing those with wheat bread and fresh fruits and vegetables, she gets a great variety and a nutritious lunch.  It's packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.  I do pack a small treat as well, but it's for fun, not the meal.

At home this has become our favorite lunch.  Not only is it healthy and delicious, it's quick and easy.  Much easier than the regular mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, frozen pizza and foods like these that dominate the grocery stores.  Set out a spread like this when neighbor kids are over and everyone will find something they like.  Also great for picnics, snacks and hikes.

These items are great to have on hand for salads.  The fruits and nuts are also great mix-ins to yogurt, granola, and hot cereals.  


Lunch
  Fresh Vegetables Fresh Fruits Nuts Cheeses Meats Hard Boiled Eggs

       
  Breads Dried Fruits Water      

There's nothing new or exciting about this list, but it may give you some ideas.
Fresh Vegetables
carrots
snap peas or snow peas
cauliflower
broccoli
sliced zucchini or yellow squash

Dips
ranch
hummus
Fresh Fruit
strawberries
apples
mangoes
pears
bananas
blueberries
raspberries
oranges
Protein
ham
turkey
prosciutto
chicken
roast beef
salami
pepperoni
hard boiled eggs

Nuts
almonds
cashews
sunflower seeds
walnuts
pecans
pumpkin seeds
Dried Fruits
craisins
raisins
blueberries
pineapple
cherries
dates

Cheeses
mozerella
cheddar
swiss
muenster
provolone
asiago
parmesan shavings

Breads
slice and freeze these, pull out and
defrost what you'll need for lunch

wheat bread
ciabatta
rolls
muffins
breadsticks
french bread
   


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