Brown-bagged lunches appear to be more popular than ever, and not just with the lunchbox-toting set. Grownups are opting for homemade lunches too. Why are both kids and adults suddenly favoring do-it-yourself offerings? Quite simply, lunches made at home can be cheaper and healthier than anything found in a sandwich shop or a cafeteria line. Currently, about 42 percent of schools don't offer fresh fruits and vegetables, while only seven percent of our schools meet all nutritional standards, according to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. For a population making strides at becoming nutritionally-savvy, those numbers just don't seem good enough. It's time to take lunches into your own hands and ensure healthy bodies and focused minds all day long. But don't reach for the old PB&J just yet. Lunch is about to get interesting.
You'll find a goldmine of unique lunchbox ideas if you look for foods that can be as delicious cold as they are hot. (No, cold pizza doesn't count!) Quesadillas are a great example, as both kids and adults appreciate handy, fun-to-eat wedges. Cook your quesadilla the night before, making sure to include veggies and black beans (go easy on the cheese to keep it healthy), let cool and cut into wedges. Stuffed peppers are another self-contained, make-ahead meal that taste great without being reheated. Stuff with beans, rice, meat and veggies and bake ahead of time. The seasonings blend overnight to make a delicious and filling mix, inside a soft, roasted pepper.
Pitas are another lunchbox staple that can be filled with just about anything. Kids love eating a sandwich-in-a-pocket, while adults appreciate that pitas are a healthy alternative to sandwich bread, especially whole wheat varieties. Be sure to look for the pocket variety, not just flatbread. Lunch meats, cheeses or tuna and chicken salads are perfect to stuff into a pita, but there's no reason not to get even more creative. Take a lesson from your local falafel vendor and throw in roasted vegetables, leftover grain salads, beans and spice it all up with coleslaw or dressing. It's a forkless, one-handed lunch. You might also keep a package of whole wheat tortillas handy for quick roll-ups. Spread some pesto on a tortilla and fill down the middle with leftover grilled chicken, fish or grains before rolling up.
Kids never fail to get excited about little snacks and finger-foods in their lunch box, so don't disappoint. Trail mix is fun and shareable, as are vegetables and hummus. Get even more creative with homemade muffins baked in mini-muffin tins (a healthy alternative to brownie bites) and mini bagel sandwiches.
After all the thought and love that has gone into your lunch, don't allow the nutrition to be spoiled with a soda on the side. If you're addicted to bubbles, try sparking water, or pack a thermos of herbal iced tea (also easy to brew the night before) for a refreshing beverage to wash it all down. To keep things interesting as the school year rolls along, create a calendar menu and post it at eye-level on the refrigerator. Encourage your child to help you plan future lunches and to note which are favorites! Lunch will become a much-anticipated break, not just for the downtime, but for the delicious food straight from your kitchen.
