More than one-third of American children consume some fast food each day, and many parents resort to fast food when they feel they don’t have time to prepare a full meal. It’s tough to make lunch during a hectic morning before school, but being short on time doesn’t mean you can’t put together a healthy meal.
With the right choices available, your children will be just as tempted to eat healthy options as they are to eat fast food or another unhealthy choice. Whether you’re trying to make healthy meals for picky eaters or a more adventurous child, these quick recipes will help you prepare a healthy, filling school lunch for your children in as little as five minutes, giving you the time you need to get ready for the day.
Hummus with Veggies
Unlike ranch and other kid-approved veggie dips, hummus provides high levels of protein and fiber in addition to other nutrients. It’s a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables without adding unnecessary fat and salt to their lunch.
Another great benefit of hummus is that it can be paired with a variety of common foods that children love. While veggies are a classic choice for dipping in hummus, you can mix it up by including pretzel sticks, pita chips, or your own favorite snack.
Cracker Sandwiches
Your children are probably familiar with this type of sandwich through Lunchables, but you can make your own, much healthier cracker sandwiches in just a few minutes. Most packaged lunch foods contain added sugar, preservatives, and large quantities of sodium, making them a poor choice for your kids’ health.
Whole wheat crackers are available at any grocery store and offer a number of advantages over those made with white flour. Add turkey and the cheese of your choice for a filling and delicious lunch that’s much healthier (but just as much fun) than the store-bought alternatives.
Bagel Sandwiches with Cucumber
Most people think of bagels as a breakfast food, but they can be a fun and nutritious part of any school lunch. Whole wheat bagels are the healthiest choice for children and adults alike, and they’re easy to turn into a sandwich for lunch or a quick snack after school.
Simply stir some dill into whipped cream cheese, then apply the spread to both sides of a toasted bagel. Add cucumber to one half, then put them back together for a closed sandwich. This is a quick way to put together a filling and healthy school lunch for your child.
Finding the time to make a full lunch or snack for your kids is tough, especially when school mornings are already so chaotic. These tips will help you create a nutritious lunch for your children in just a few minutes without resorting to processed, unhealthy options like fast food or processed, store-bought lunches.
Arpita Arya, is the Co-founder of LinkOceans.com. She has been in the digital marketing industry for the past three years and contributed her expertise to various brands over the web. She has gained great experience and skill set in content marketing and improving the website’s traffic through cross-promotion.
