Liven up Tired Sandwiches Use interesting breads such as soft round tortillas to create your own sandwich wraps. Add crunch with a cucumber or crisp lettuce. Children enjoy mini-subs on whole grain buns. They like bagels sliced thin and toasted, with toppings in very small containers they can spread on at lunchtime, such as applesauce and cinnamon or shredded cheese.
For teens, try small containers of bruschetta with mozzarella and sliced whole wheat baguette. Hummus and pita is often a favorite. Easy fillings include tuna, salmon, lean cooked meats or vegetable combinations like thinly sliced red and green peppers. There's no limit to the sandwich.
Add in a Treat Keep a batch of homemade muffins or oatmeal cookies in the freezer for a quick addition to any lunch.
Drinks Pack milk in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack. Other options are water, chocolate milk, yogurt drinks and a variety of 100% fruit or vegetable juices.
Hot Foods Great dinners make great lunches for the next day. Casseroles that travel well in a sturdy plastic containers include lentils and rice, and pasta-vegetable dishes served hot or cold. On a winter day, pack baked beans in tomato sauce or a stew made in the slow cooker for dinner the night before.
Veggies in a Blanket
2 flour tortillas
2 tablespoons cream cheese
2 lettuce leaves or baby spinach leaves
1 grated carrot
thin sliced turkey or ham
1 Tablespoon raisins (optional)
Spread cream cheese on tortillas. Add carrots, lettuce and ham. Roll up and serve or wrap in plastic wrap for snacking later.
Variations: Add thin sticks of cucumber or sweet red pepper before rolling.
Makes 2 large roll-ups.
Kid Kabobs Chunks of ham
Chunks of cheese
Pineapple chunks
Cut ham, cheese and pineapple into bite-size chunks. Put 1 piece of each on a toothpick. Package in sturdy plastic container
Peel back one strip of banana peel. Carefully split the banana in half with a knife. Don't cut through the peel on the other side. Pull the banana gently apart and put peanut butter or non-hydrogenated margarine in the opening. Press the halves together. Put the banana peel back. The banana is now ready for lunch box or picnic.
Dec. 9, 2003: Avis Favaro on the fight to ban the use of trans fats in processed food Dec. 8, 2003: Avis Favaro on the move to get restaurants to reveal trans fat content in meals Dec. 7, 2003: Avis Favaro reports Trans fat isn't listed on any restaurant or takeout menu -- but it's there Oct. 31, 2003:Medical specialist Avis Favaro looks at healthy alternatives consumers can use to replace trans fat Oct. 30, 2003:Avis Favaro finds children under age two may be most vulnerable to trans fat Oct. 29, 2003:Avis Favaro looks at the pros and cons of labelling for trans fat ingredients in foods Oct. 28, 2003:Avis Favaro with results of trans fat food tests Oct. 27, 2003:Avis Favaro explains how trans fats may be playing havoc with our health Jul. 9, 2003:Jennifer Tryon on new rules for labelling of trans fats
