By Jennifer Cheek
Special to the NKyTribune
Back to school starts parents thinking about the lunch box. Packing the lunch box the first week of school is actually fun, and we are all inspired with cute notes and creative foods.
But let’s be realistic.
By week three, we are out of ideas and a peanut butter sandwich becomes the daily staple. Here are some easy recipe-free lunch ideas that will put a smile on your child’s face midway through the school day and energize them for the second half.
Sandwiches
Traditional lunch meat sandwiches lose their flair after the first week of school. These healthy choice sandwich ideas will brighten up the lunch box.
Cream cheese and strawberry jam or sliced strawberries
Peanut Butter and sliced apples or bananas
Cucumber Sandwiches – mix cream cheese and ranch powder. Spread on mini bread and top with thinly sliced cucumber (or any veggies)
Sandwich on a stick – turkey/chicken squares, cheese squares, grape tomatoes, pickles, bread squares and other favorites served on a skewer
Cookie cutters give fun shapes to bread. Kids love to open their lunch box to a flower or airplane shaped sandwich. The cookie cutters also eliminates the crust that so many kids don’t like.
Roll-ups
Roll-ups are something fun and easy to eat and kids think they’re cool!
Turkey and cheese roll-ups – slice a part-skim mozzarella cheese stick in 4 strips and wrap a piece of lettuce and turkey around each
Salami and cream cheese roll-ups
Wraps
Tortillas of any flavor can be a substitute for bread when trying to change things up.
Spread any flavor Laughing Cow cheese, line with ham and pineapple, and fold into a wrap.
Spread cream cheese, add turkey and cranberries, and fold into a wrap.
Spread hummus, line with favorite lunch meats and veggies, and fold into a wrap.
Kid-Friendly Assemble
Of course there are many mornings where everyone is running behind and there is no time to prep. Here is a list of foods that your child can assemble at the lunch table.
Yogurt and fruit with a small cup of dry cereal to pour on top
Wheat crackers with cheese spread
Pretzel bagels with cream cheese spread
Whole wheat mini bagel with peanut butter
Whole wheat English Muffin with jam spread
Pizza – wheat crackers, pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni, shredded cheese
Raw veggies with ranch or hummus
Mini salad – lettuce with a few veggies and raspberry vinaigrette dressing for a sweet taste
Dessert
Pot Of Tomato And Coriander Salsa With A Corn Tortilla ChipAlways remember that a lunch box is not complete without dessert!
Sliced apples with caramel dip
Salsa with pita chips or fruit salsa with cinnamon chips
Fruit salad with mini dark chocolate chips
Trail Mix – popcorn, nuts, raisins, pretzels, M&Ms
Creative Parents
If you are the parent who thrives on putting together a creative lunch, be sure to check out the following books from Boone County Public Library. You’re sure to win your child’s heart!
Yum-Yum Bento Box: Fresh Recipes for Adorable Lunches by Crystal Watanabe and Maki Ogawa.
The Lunch Box by Kate McMillan and Sarah Putman Clegg
Best Lunch Box Ever by Katie Sullivan Morford
Jennifer Cheek has worked for Boone County Public Library for 5 years. A graduate from the College of Mount St. Joseph focusing on English and Communications, she previously worked in Advertising/Media Buying and still continues as a freelancer.