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By eDiets Staff
Back to school and back to thinking up healthy lunch ideas to brown-bag for the little ones?
If you’ve exhausted your repertoire of less-than-diet-friendly standards, like creamy tuna salad or bologna and mayo on white, or you find yourself eating the leftovers from some of those calorie-crammed sandwiches, get some better bites in your healthy lunch bag — or your briefcase! (Always use an ice pack when your lunch won’t be refrigerated to prevent food borne illnesses.)
Think Outside the Bag…
Mushroom Pizza Burger — This one is ideal if you have an office with a microwave — if the kiddies don’t mind, you can cook the mushroom burger at home and they can eat it cold.
Slice open a 6-inch whole-wheat pita and spread 2 tablespoons of fat-free tomato sauce inside; layer in a cooked mushroom veggie burger (check your grocer’s freezer section). Heat in the office microwave or toaster oven. Tote raw, crisp string beans and snow peas for a satisfying side. (300 calories, 5 grams fat)
Shrimp Salad Wrap – Instead of boring tuna salad, try canned shrimp. Like tuna, it’s light and lean, but shrimp offer more flavor and texture.
Mix 1/2 cup chopped canned shrimp, 1 finely chopped celery stalk, 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1 tablespoon fat-free mayonnaise and spread on a 6-inch low-fat flour tortilla and roll up. Tote baby carrots and healthy hummus as an appetizing accompaniment. (200 calories, 5 grams fat)
Steak and Couscous Salad — When you’re searching for a hearty, healthy lunch, this is just the ticket. Buy pre-grilled steak in your grocer’s refrigerator section or look at leftovers in a new light.
Cook couscous according to package directions. In a resealable plastic container, toss 1/2 cup couscous, 3 ounces pre-grilled steak strips, 1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers, 1/4 cup button mushrooms and 1 1/2 tablespoons fat-free Italian dressing. (280 calories, 7 grams fat)
Pea Soup with Honey Ham Wraps — Invest in a handy container for carry soups and you’ll never run out of lunch ideas. This combo is particularly satisfying.
Spread 1 tablespoon low-fat cream cheese on one side of 4 slices low-fat honey-roasted ham, then wrap around cucumber spears (cream cheese on the inside). Bring pea soup in a stay-hot container or pack a cup of dehydrated pea soup (add hot water) for the perfect partner. (140 calories, 6 grams fat)
“Chicken” Fingers and Tomato Soup – Kids love these faux chicken fingers, made from soy. But adults are secret fans as well. Experiment with different dippers, like salsa and honey mustard. Boca nuggets are frozen soy-based chunks that taste like fast-food chicken nuggets; pack 4 nuggets (microwave at the office) and 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce or mustard for dipping. A side of tomato soup rounds out the meal right. (290 calories, 9 grams fat)
Looking for more healthy lunch ideas? eDiets has hundreds of simple, easy recipes — and even fast food choices! Check out the Glycemic Impact Plan for all-day energy, or the Mediterranean Diet (where you can even have wine!).
Continue to these related posts:
– Feeding Your Child: Where Do You Begin?
– Discount Shopping: Back to School
– Healthy Meals for One (recipe included!)
Got any healthy no-fuss healthy lunch ideas for the office or for the kiddos? Let us know by sharing them below.
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