Getting your kids to eat the right stuff at lunch isn’t easy. School cafeterias are filled with burgers, fries, sodas, and sweets. And if your kid is crafty enough, they can wheel-and-deal other school goods (answers to a test, pens, pencils, extra paper) for a bag of chips or a chocolate bar.
If you want your kids eating healthy at lunchtime, you may as well do it yourself with these 3 recipes that’re so good, they won’t be trading these meals for a Joe Louis anytime soon:
Recipes courtesy theheartysoul.com
Sandwich Kabobs
This is a fun twist on what’s truly a sandwich at heart. If your kid isn’t a fan of the proteins listed, you can pretty much skewer anything to taste (as long as it’s healthy and natural!).
Try rye or gluten-free bread at the ends with:
- Salmon, Turkey or Ham (the real stuff, not processed)
- Feta Cheese or Ghee
- Cucumber
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Avocado
- Any other fruits or vegetables your child likes
Greek Pasta Salad
The best way to get your kids eating whole wheat or veggie-based pasta is a sneaky coating of delicious herbs and vegetables.
This is good for two adult servings, and won’t spoil for a few days, meaning it’s good for at least a couple of lunches.
Into a bowl, add:
- 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
- with 2 small garlic cloves
- Tomatoes
- Red-wine vinegar
Let these ingredients stand. Now, boil 8 ounces of whole-wheat pasta (easily subbed for zucchini noodles if you want a healthy, gluten-free option).
Toss the pasta in the olive oil and tomato combination. Then add:
- ½ cup of Feta (optional)
- 15 ounces of Chickpeas
- 1 medium cucumber chopped into ½ inch pieces
- 1/3 cup of Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried oregano
Healthy Chicken Nuggets
Every kid loves chicken nuggets. And you’ll love them too, since they’re easy to make, and easy to pack.
Forget the unhealthy kind, breaded in white flour, and covered in healthy oils and eggs. Try the healthy version:
Ingredients:
- 1lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ¾ tsp salt (if desired)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper(optional)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¼ avocado oil
Instructions:
- Cut chicken into small chunks
- Mix Almond flour with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Sprinkle flour and seasoning mixture over chicken
- Drizzle avocado oil over chicken and add more mix to coat lightly.
- Bake in preheated oven at 450 degrees for about 14 minutes in a conventional oven.
Photo Credit: Barbara Dudzinska/Shutterstock.com; Timolina/Shutterstock.com
