Cooking Light: Healthful School Lunches

Make sure your kids are set for school lunches with these healthful lunch ideas from our friends at Cooking Light. These recipes are inexpensive, can be made ahead and will fill your kids tummies with good for your nutrients and not sugar!

Spelt Salad with White Beans and Artichokes

This vegetarian salad is a lunchbox dream: You can make it ahead, it’s packed with filling protein and fiber, and it’s loaded with flavorful ingredients. And as an added bonus, it tastes nice chilled or at room temperature. Include a cluster of red grapes and crusty Italian bread in your bag, and you’re ready to go.

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Nutrition Tip: Spelt (also called farro) is a high-protein grain with a mellow nutty flavor. It is rich in B vitamins for an energy boost as well as a good source of fiber. (Bulgur, quinoa, or whole wheat couscous are good substitutes if you do not have spelt for this dish.)

Chipotle Pork and Avocado Wraps

Here, the trick is starting with Simply Roasted Pork and using the leftovers for a spicy wrap. For a bit more spice, add another teaspoon of chipotle chiles to the avocado spread.

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Nutrition Tip: Practice portion control with sides. This wrap only has 239 calories, so you can afford to pair it with some baked tortilla chips. Warning: It’s easy to overeat if you munch straight from the bag. Portion servings into zip-top plastic bags so you won’t go overboard with sides and snacks. Most baked tortillas chips are around 120 calories per 1-ounce serving. Pair with an apple or mango slices for a complete meal.

Roasted Red Pepper Spread Sandwiches

If you like pimiento cheese, you’ll enjoy this recipe. Keep the sandwiches well chilled so that the cream cheese spread will remain firm. Sturdy, whole-grain bread works best.

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Nutrition Tip: Remember to eat regularly throughout the day, never going more than 4 to 5 hours without eating. Waiting too long between meals can turn normal hunger pangs into an out-of-control craving. It’s hard to make a good choice when you’re starving. Keep healthful options—almonds, string cheese, fat-free milk, and sandwiches like this veggie-cheese delight—on hand to keep hunger in check.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.