Five Great Lunches for Kids

If you’re low on lunch-box ideas, sink your teeth into these.

Sort of Sushi

Spread 1/2 cup cooked brown rice on a whole-wheat flour tortilla. Arrange 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast strips and a couple of thin cooked broccoli spears on one end. Sprinkle lightly with reduced-sodium soy sauce. Tightly roll up and slice into 2-inch pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap. Add orange segments.

Seashell Salad

Combine 1/2 cup cooked whole-wheat seashell pasta, 3 ounces canned tuna, 1/4 cup shredded carrots, and enough low-fat salad dressing to moisten. Pack in a container. Add a sliced apple and honey-yogurt dip.

Snacker’s Special

Combine ½ cup whole-grain toasted oat cereal, 1/4 cup roasted soy nuts or peanuts, 1 cup air-popped popcorn, and 1/4 cup diced dried apples in a plastic bag. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and shake well. Add a bag of cherry tomatoes and a stick of string cheese.

Pita with PB and B

Slice open two mini whole-wheat pita breads. Spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter on each. Top with thin banana slices and close. Add a small peeled cucumber (cut into spears) and a container of reduced-fat ranch dressing.

Bacon Crunchers

Lightly spread honey mustard on four whole-wheat bagel chips. Cut two cooked Canadian bacon slices to fit, then place them on top of the bagel chips. Cover with baby spinach and close with bagel chips. Add a bag of strawberries.