[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kids\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kids\/","headline":"Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids","name":"Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids","description":"Back to school means back to early mornings, homework time, and lunch packing. The school year is a busy time for parents and kids, which can lead to stress and feeling short on time. While it may be easier to have your kids grab a slice of pizza in the school cafeteria, it\u2019s important to […]","datePublished":"2018-08-27","dateModified":"2020-09-23","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/iStock-891400044-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/iStock-891400044-scaled.jpg","height":1366,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kids\/","about":["Pediatrics"],"wordCount":470,"articleBody":"Back to school means back to early mornings, homework time, and lunch packing. The school year is a busy time for parents and kids, which can lead to stress and feeling short on time. While it may be easier to have your kids grab a slice of pizza in the school cafeteria, it\u2019s important to carve out a few minutes to put together a wholesome lunch for your kids \u2013 and yourself!Make lunch packing a family activity. Have kids accompany you to the grocery store and choose items they\u2019d like to try. At home, let them help pack their lunches. By having kids be the helpers, they will be more likely to eat what\u2019s in their lunchbox. Have them pick the grain, veggie, fruit and protein.\u00a0Add in white, low-fat milk, water, or seltzer water to drink. Bon appetite! A yummy, healthy lunch is ready to go!Ideas for Healthy LunchesMake lunch fun this school year by trying a few of these cool lunch combos:Main dish: Tortilla wrap filled with hummus, deli meat, tofu and veggies.Sides: Fresh fruit, string cheese and veggiesMain dish: Tortilla wrap with nut butter (try almond or cashew) and sliced fruit (bananas, strawberries, etc.)Sides: Raw veggies (carrot sticks, sliced peppers, cucumber)Main dish: Make-your-own Lunchable! Combine whole grain crackers, sliced cheese and deli meatSides: Raw veggies with a dip, watermelon or strawberriesMain dish: Make-your-own sandwich. Have kids pick the protein (nut butter, hummus, deli meat, rotisserie chicken) and the toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado).Sides: Celery and low-fat cream cheese and fresh fruitMain dish: Tortellini salad with chopped veggies (tomato, zucchini, green pepper)Sides: Edamame, apple slices, fruit leather, and string cheeseMain dish: Soup in a thermosSides: Raw veggies and dip, fruit salad, and whole grain crackersMain dish: Quesadillas with rotisserie chicken or pulled pork and cheeseSides: Raw veggies and melon ballsMain dish: Nacho day! Stack whole grain tortilla chips with salsa, shredded cheese, black beans, olives, and shredded lettuceSides: Fresh fruit and carrot sticksYou can also celebrate special holidays by incorporating themes with lunch. For Valentine\u2019s Day, use red lunch items such as fresh red pepper strips, tomato slices, red apple slices, or strawberries. On Halloween, don\u2019t pack lots of candy. Instead, wrap deli meat around string cheese for mummy bites. Or add black and orange treats like black olives or roasted yams.Make sandwiches fun by utilizing different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters, or switch them up by using mini pita bread.Store your goodies in reusable plastic Tupperware, and carry it all in a colorful, insulated lunch bag.Packing lunch won\u2019t feel like such a chore. By working together with your kids, you\u2019ll be making healthy choices and happy memories!"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kids\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]