Taking the Stress Out of Lunchbox Meals
It's the time of year when kids are back to the classroom -- and parents are back to the kitchen for another year of lunchbox anxiety. But there's no need for packable meals to inspire stress. Here are simple lunches worth a spot in any brown bag, plus some time-saving packaged add-ins that parents can actually feel good about.
Main Meals
Smoked Turkey Sandwich (above)
Punch up an everyday turkey sandwich with a layer of hummus spread and a mini whole-wheat bagel to hold it all together.
Rainbows and Butterflies Pasta Salad (from Food Network Magazine)
Whole-grain pasta, filled with colorful vegetables and edamame, earns full marks for being both well-balanced and enticing.
Antonis Achilleos
Toss together buckwheat noodles, peanut butter and chicken for an all-in-one approach.
Jackie Alpers, Copyright 2012 Jackie Alpers - All rights reserved
Your child's lunch box dreams just became a reality with tortillas, cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream.
Jackie Alpers, Copyright 2012 Jackie Alpers - All rights reserved
Add crunch without frying by calling in the panko breadcrumbs. Thread the nuggets on skewers or stuff them in a pita with lettuce and tomato.
Time-Saving Sides
True, whole and sliced fruit and veggies are always easy to pack, but there's nothing wrong with enlisting a few packaged goods to make your life easier.
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Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. She is the author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day.