Lunch Ideas for School

Though some children receive lunch from their school, the nutritional value of these foods are quite debatable. Moreover, as that food is not a favorite among children as far as the taste is concerned, it is likely that they opt for their favorite fast foods. Hence, it is important that kids eat meals that are healthy and nutritious. Nowadays, both parents go to work, and making lunch in the morning can seem to be a hassle. However, this is not as difficult as people think and can be made with proper planning.

It is important to add variety, so your kid will look forward to having a lunch that is brought from home. If you do not have the time to cook in the morning, using leftover food is also a healthy idea.

Although making this sandwich with ham is the best option, you can also make it with chicken or by grilling vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and even sprouts available at home.

Ingredients

• Bread, 12 slices
• Ham, 2 cups (cooked, finely chopped)
• Mayonnaise, 1/3 cup
• Onion, 1 teaspoon (grated)
• Mustard, 1 teaspoon
• Butter- as required for the bread

Directions

1. Take the finely chopped ham, celery, and onion in a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine them with mustard and mayonnaise. Mix well and set aside.
2. Spread butter on a slice of bread and fill it with the salad mixture.
3. Place another slice of bread over it and cut them diagonally before packing.

Just like sandwich filling, even salads can be made by mixing different types of dishes found in your refrigerator like salad made with fruits, meat, vegetables, pasta, rice, etc.

Ingredients

• Kidney beans, 16 ounces (rinsed and drained)
• Apples, 2 (chopped)
• Green chillies, 1/4 cup (mild, chopped)
• Celery, 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
• Green onion, 1/4 cup (chopped)
• White wine vinegar, 1½ tablespoon
• Vegetable oil, 1½ tablespoon
• Salt - as per taste
• Dash of hot sauce

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, mix beans, celery, chillies, green onions, and apples.
2. Add hot sauce, salt, and vinegar oil to this mixture and mix well. Cover the bowl with a lid and keep it in the refrigerator for half an hour.
3. This can also be made at night and packed on the next day to save time.

If your child is bored of eating sandwiches all the time, surprise him with a tortilla wrap for lunch next time. Here is a recipe that your child will definitely love.

Ingredients

• Large flour tortilla, 25 cm
• Turkey, 2 ounces (cooked, sliced)
• Cheddar or Swiss cheese, 1 ounce (sliced)
• Baby spinach leaves, 1/4 cup
• Parmesan cheese, 3 teaspoons (grated)
• Red onion, 3 teaspoons (chopped)
• Mayonnaise, 3 teaspoons
• Tomato, 2 thin slices
• Salt and pepper- as per taste

1. Combine mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Take a tortilla and spread this mayonnaise and cheese mixture evenly over it.
3. Fill one third of the tortilla with turkey, sliced cheese, tomato slices, spinach, and red onion.
4. Sprinkle little salt and pepper over it and roll the tortilla tightly.
5. Chop them into half and pack in the lunch box.

Apart from these foods, you should also encourage your child to drink milk or fruit juices to ensure that he/she does not indulge in carbonated drinks. Just by adding some creativity to the foods that they like, you can come up with ideas that are nourishing as well as delicious.