LOW-FAT DAIRY: Low-fat milk kept in a thermos or shelf-stable individual drink box; squeeze low-fat yogurt; low-fat cheese in sandwiches; low-fat mozzarella sticks; low-fat cottage cheese; low-fat pudding cups
(Jazz up a low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit or low-fat granola.)
FRUITS: Oranges, grapefruit, bananas, apples, grapes, melon balls, strawberries, raspberries, mini applesauce without sugar, or any seasonal fruit
(Peeled and sliced fruit is more likely to get eaten and less likely to be traded than is a piece of whole fruit. Occasionally include surprises such as mini fruit kabobs or fruit cups.)
VEGETABLES: Carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, green and red pepper strips,
celery, broccoli or cauliflower florets with light dressing
(Use all the colors!)
PROTEIN: Sandwiches made of turkey, lean ham, lean roast beef, peanut butter, hummus (chick pea spread/dip), chicken, or tuna
(Try PB&J with Granny Smith apples, ham & cheese roll-ups with dipping sauce, or turkey all wrapped up in a tortilla with low fat cheese and vegetables.)

BREADS & GRAINS: Whole grain or whole wheat bread, pita pockets, bagels, muffins or crackers (Place the fillings on the side so your children can assemble the sandwiches or crackers themselves. Don’t forget to include their favorite sandwich additions such as a little light mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, lettuce and/or tomatoes.)

DRINKS: Water is always a wise choice. If your kids like juice, try packing a 4 or 6.25 oz 100% juice box with a water bottle.

Pin Wheel Sandwiches – Spread your children’s favorite sandwich fillings onto tortillas. Roll them up and slice them into smaller pieces (i.e. peanut butter and jelly, lunch meat with cream cheese or Laughing Cow Cheese). Cookie Cutter Sandwiches – Any sandwich cut with a large cookie cutter (i.e. star, heart, dinosaur, animals, etc.). You can also cut slices of cheese, ham or turkey into fun shapes. Ham and Potato Sandwiches – To make this silly sandwich, place a couple of thin slices of turkey ham on wheat bread, add a thin slice of cheese and a dollop of mayonnaise. Where does the potato come in? Include a container of five single potato chips which your child can add to the sandwich during lunch. The salty crunch of the chips against the sweetness of the ham is so tasty, they won’t want to be trading this sandwich. Finger Foods – Sometimes kids, especially younger ones, don’t like to eat a whole sandwich or bowl of food.  Instead, try preparing cut up cubes of cheese, grapes, carrot sticks, pretzels, mini crackers, and ham cubes. Place them in a container with individual compartments or just a standard one for a fun lunch.  Also try cutting sandwiches into small rectangles or triangles for easier eating.

Dip It – Kids love dipping stuff.  For an easy and nutritious lunch snack, cut apple wedges and serve with a strawberry or peanut butter dip or cut up veggies served with a hummus dip or try a cream cheese dip.  For a more substantial lunch, add pieces of pita bread, breadsticks or crackers.

Make Your Own Trail Mix – Combine mixed nuts, raisins or dried fruit, mini pretzels, sunflower seeds, breakfast cereal such as Chex, and a few chocolate chips into a re-sealable plastic bag.

Hot Foods – With insulated food containers (thermos), you can send hot foods to school. Make sure the foods are heated up to at least 140 degrees before you load them into the insulated containers. Some suggestions are: beef and vegetable stew served with a hard roll, chicken noodle soup with whole grain crackers, lasagna with a salad and bread, chicken casserole with carrots and vegetable dip, hot vegan or beef meatballs in a sauce with a roll to make a meatball sub, taco meat or refried beans and taco shells with your children’s favorite taco toppings, chili with whole grain crackers, or combine Bush’s vegetarian baked bean and veggie dogs for beanie weenies.

Lunch Notes – Write cute little notes once in a while to put smiles on your chidren’s faces (i.e. a simple note with a smiley face saying “I love you”).