Ahhhh, lunchtime hunger. It can get the best of ALL of us. Kids will trade their apple for someone else’s Reese’s peanut butter cup simply because that sounds WAY better. Adults will go for the box of Cheez-Its as opposed to the salad they prepared the night before for the same reason.
Some people call it hangry, and yes, it happens to everyone of all ages.
While there may be no way to keep your kid from trading food at lunch time, you CAN make healthy food taste good so that they perhaps don’t want to trade it. Just writing these recipes made our mouths water! Here are our favorite box lunch ideas to help keep you (and your entire family) on track with clean eating (hidden veggies most definitely included):
- Turkey Sandwich on Ezekiel
Ingredients:
3 slices nitrate-free turkey breast (we prefer Applegate brand)
2 slices Ezekiel sprouted grain bread (look for it in the frozen section of your grocer)
1 Tbsp. whole grain honey mustard
Handful of spinach
Sliced tomato
Directions: Spread mustard on bread and place all ingredients sandwich-style. Serve with an apple, 10 baby carrots, and a cup of Greek yoghurt.
Fix Stats: 2 Red, 2 Yellow, 2 Green, 1 Purple
2. Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Ingredients:
1 large whole wheat tortilla (or Ezekiel tortilla)
1 cooked chicken breast
Frank’s Red Hot Cayenne Pepper sauce
1 Blue container of cheese of choice
Lettuce
Tomato
Directions: Shred chicken breast and mix well with Frank’s hot pepper sauce. Fill wrap with all ingredients. Toast in skillet (optional) or eat cold.
Fix Stats: 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue
3. Whole Wheat Pita Sammie
Ingredients:
1 whole wheat pita
1 cup diced chicken (we buy it straight from the salad bar at the grocery, but you can cook/dice your own.
2 Tbsp. hummus
1 Green container Spinach or sprouts
Directions: Spread hummus on inside of pita. Fill with ingredients and enjoy! Serve with a Purple container of fruit of your choice, 1/2 sliced pepper, and 1 Blue container guacamole.
Fix Stats: 1 Red, 2.5 Yellow, 1 Purple, 1.5 Green, 1 Blue
4. Healthy “Lunchable”
Ingredients:
1 Red container diced chicken or turkey breast
1 Blue container cubed cheeses
1 Purple container of grapes
1 Green container of baby carrots
1 slice of whole grain or Ezekiel bread
1.5 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 cup Greek yoghurt
Directions: Place each item into containers (or lunchable looking meal prep container).
Fix Stats: 2 Red, 1 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Purple, 4 tsp.
5. Fiesta Chicken Wrap
Ingredients for Wrap:
1 flour tortilla (or Ezekiel tortilla)
1 Red container Sliced grilled chicken breast
1/4 sliced avocado
4 slices English cucumber (cut diagonally)
1 Green container sprouts
1/2 Green container of shredded carrots
Ingredients for Ranch dressing:
1 Tbsp. parsley
1/2-2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2-2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 Tbsp. chives
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yoghurt
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. lemon juice
Directions: Mix together Ranch dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Spread 1-1.5 Tbsp. of Ranch onto tortilla. Fill tortilla with wrap ingredients and serve with a side of 10 almonds and 1 Purple container of orange slices or fruit of choice.
Fix Stats: 1.5 Red, 2 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue, 1 Purple, 1 Orange
We hope you (and the kiddos) enjoy!
Yours in Health & Fitness,
The Body Electric Team