Hunger Busters Lunch Box Menus
I can still hear the grinding sound of the snow cone machine and feel the cool drip of cherry syrup oozing down my face—Vacation Bible School at its best.s
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I can still hear the grinding sound of the snow cone machine and feel the cool drip of cherry syrup oozing down my face—Vacation Bible School at its best. Those childhood memories are never far away, especially since I recently purchased an inexpensive snow cone machine for my family. Rainbow colored treats are at our fingertips.
If only lunchbox meals were so carefree. With the first day of school on the horizon, many parents are already stressed in anticipation of the Big Question: What did you pack in my lunch today? If you’re one of the lucky few, whose child has enjoyed a chicken nugget food-jag for the past four years, lunchbox menus aren’t a big deal. However, for the rest of us, we need all the creative genius we can get.
I’d love to have the time and energy to create dazzling gourmet meals for my little ones, but homemade vegetarian lettuce tofu wraps just won’t cut it. I know a select few adventurous kids will actually eat that, but mine won’t. For those of us who need kid-friendly brownbag lunch ideas, which, by the way, don’t require hours of professional preparation, this list is for you.
Monday 100% juice boxPersonal size pizza crust
Low fat turkey pepperoni slices
Low fat shredded mozzarella cheese
Pretzels
Strawberries
Tuesday 2% Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk
Chicken strips with low fat Ranch dressing
Flour or corn tortilla
Sliced red and yellow bell peppers
Granola bar
Apple slices with fruit dip
Wednesday Yogurt smoothie
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on bagel thins
Baked potato chips
Trail mix
Jell-o fruit cup
Thursday 1% Reduced Fat Milk
Turkey and cheese shish-ka-bobs
Saltine crackers
Carrot sticks with dip
Yogurt with granola topping
BananaFriday V-8 Fusion
Ham and cheese wrap on flatbread
Baked corn chips
Chocolate pudding
Raisins
If you’d like to change things up a bit, here are a few alternatives:
cereal bar cereal
popcorn soft pretzel
fruit cocktail Go-gurt
graham crackers pasta salad
string cheese dried apricots
Goldfish crackers Teddy Grahams
mini-muffins nuts
protein bar rice cakes
grapes dried banana chips
As a parent, you know your child’s likes and dislikes. While this menu may not fit all taste buds, especially allergy-sensitive eaters, it’s a good starting point and can easily be adjusted to suit your family’s nutritional needs. Even better, take your kids on a special grocery shopping trip, to scout out new products and old favorites. With their expert opinion it won’t be difficult to personalize the menu.
Now, if only there was a way to pack a snow cone into a lunchbox…
—Carrie Cooper
Carrie earned a Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas A&M University. Her new radio show, U2HaveHope, can be heard each Saturday on KDKR 91.3 FM. Discover more at www.comfortandcompassion.com.
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