It’s hard to believe that back-to-school time is upon us!  At Meijer we’ve been busy stocking the shelves with all the things your kids need to head back to the classroom.  From backpacks to pencils we’ve got it all!  Of course we also start to think about our meal routines and the chore of packing lunches.  Fortunately, packing a healthy, balanced lunch bag can be easy and affordable.   Just remember the basic ingredients for health – whole grains, low fat dairy, lean protein and colorful fruits and veggies.

Here are some delicious lunches that you and your children will feel good about:

Option #1:

Main item: Turkey Wrap

Brush a small soft whole grain tortilla or Flatout Bread with honey mustard; top with 1-2 ounces thinly sliced turkey breast, 1-2 ounces sliced Swiss cheese and five to six spinach leaves; roll up tightly.
Side dish: Baby Carrots
Snack: Red Grapes
Treat: Whole-Grain Granola Bar

Option #2:

Main item: Cheese and Veggie Sandwich
Spread 2 tsps. of prepared basil pesto on one slice of whole grain bread; top with 2 ounces of sliced mozzarella cheese and some thin-sliced tomato and cucumber; top with second slice of bread.
Side dish: Tomato Soup
Snack: Baggie of Popcorn
Treat: Vanilla Yogurt with Fresh Fruit

Option #3:

Main item: Chicken, Vegetable, Brown Rice Soup
Heat a can of reduced sodium soup (such as Campbell’s Select Harvest Chicken with Brown Rice) and pour into thermos container.  I like to add extra vegetables to pump up the nutrition.  Try some peas or mixed veggies.
Side dish: Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Snack: Whole Grain Crackers
Treat: Low fat Chocolate Milk

Other delicious and nutritious ideas:

  • Fill a small container with hummus and serve with whole-grain pita chips.
  • Provide a baggie of sweet potato chips with a little cottage cheese or lite sour cream for dipping.
  • Serve fresh apple slices with plain Greek yogurt that has been spiked with a little maple syrup.
  • Send cinnamon graham crackers with sugar free applesauce cup.
  • Serve whole grain pretzel sticks with black bean dip.
  • Add a flavored yogurt cup with a small baggie of granola to mix in.
  • Wrap a slice of lean deli ham around string cheese and shredded carrots.
  • Stuff cherry tomatoes with lite vegetable cream cheese.
  • Pack your own trail mix by combining whole grain cereal, dried fruits, whole grain pretzels and a few dark chocolate  morsels – place into snack baggies.

It’s important that kids have nutrient-rich foods to boost brain power and sustain energy throughout the day.  Use the NuVal nutrition scoring system at Meijer to look for the healthiest options down every aisle.