Food Suggestions

Meal Ideas

  • Choose low-fat cold cuts and meats such as turkey and chicken. Salami, pastrami, ham and bologna tend to be higher in fat.
  • Use low-fat or fat-free cheese.
  • Choose whole-grain breads or rolls for sandwiches.
  • Make a wrap using a tortilla, grilled chicken breast, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and low-fat cheese.
  • Add tuna, chicken or egg salad to whole-wheat pita bread and garnish with shredded lettuce, shredded carrots and sprouts.
  • Make a pasta salad with broccoli florets, shredded carrots, diced sweet peppers, cubed low-fat cheese and grilled chicken breast with low-fat or fat-free Italian dressing.
  • Spread peanut butter and sliced bananas on a whole grain bagel.
  • Make an English muffin pizza. Spread spaghetti sauce on the English muffin. Sprinkle low-fat cheese and your child's favorite veggies on the muffin.
  • Put leftover soups, stews and casseroles into a thermo-regulated container to be kept hot.

Meats and cheese should be refrigerated or kept cold in a lunch container.

Snack Ideas

  • Pretzels
  • Fresh vegetable sticks
  • Dried fruit
  • Pre-packaged, shelf-stable items such as applesauce, canned fruit or low-fat pudding
  • Animal crackers
  • Sliced apples or celery sticks with peanut butter
  • Fresh fruit such as bananas, oranges and grapes
  • Home-made trail mix made from dried fruit, nuts and dry cereal
  • Air-popped popcorn
  • Bread sticks
  • Baked chips and salsa
  • Sliced apples and low-fat cheese
  • Dry cereal

Drink Ideas

  • Water, bottled or kept in a thermos
  • Low-fat or fat-free milk, bought at school or chilled in a thermos
  • 100 percent fruit juice
  • 100 percent vegetable juice

Preparation Tips

  • Cut items into small, manageable pieces
  • Have your child help prepare the lunch
  • Let your child pick out a healthful snack

Food Safety

  • Use a thermos to keep soups, stews and casseroles warm. Wash the thermos with soap and hot water after every use.
  • Place a frozen juice box or bottled water next to cold food items.
  • Use an ice pack to keep foods cold.
  • Use an insulated lunch container to help keep temperatures stable.