Even the expression “brown baggin’ it” sounds boring and blah. So what alternatives do kids have to eating a “hot lunch” every day? Here’s some food for thought …
Jazz Up That Lunch!
Your kids picky? Do they eat the treat and leave the sandwich? Try some of these tips for beating the brown bag blues:
- Think sandwich alternatives. Try cold pasta with cheese or a healthy cereal and fruit. Other favorites: cold pizza, turkey pepperoni slices, etc.
- Put a new twist on sandwiches: Get the bread serving by using crackers, tortillas, pitas, bagels or other carbohydrates for more variety.
- Think about pancakes or waffles with a serving of bananas. They taste more like a treat than the old standbys.
- Consider tonight’s dinner as tomorrow’s lunch. Chicken can become chicken salad or cubed chicken in a pita. Beef can be sliced and rolled with vegetables into a pita, too.
- Don’t pack a dessert every day. Kids ultimately skip the good stuff and head for the chocolate pudding.
- Have your kids pack their own lunches. If they are involved, they are more likely to eat what’s inside. Eventually, they have to learn to feed themselves anyway.
The Scoop on GORP
Veteran hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will tell you they’ve been packing GORP or trail mix for years in their backpacks. There are entire Web sites dedicated to this favorite snack food.
According to the Wikipedia entry, “the word gorp, or alternate name for trail mix, stands for Good Old Raisins and Peanuts or Granola Oats Raisins and Peanuts. Some assume that gorp is an actual acronym for one of those phrases (or alternatively for “Gobs Of Raw Protein”), but it is probably a folk etymology. The Oxford English Dictionary cites a 1913 reference to the verb gorp, meaning, “to eat greedily.”
Traditional GORP Ingredients
Mix any combination of these components in equal amounts and the kids’ll eat it.
- Nuts, such as peanuts or cashews
- Dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins
- Chocolate chips or M&M’s®
- Breakfast cereals
- Seeds, such as sunflower seeds
- Granola
- Shredded coconut
- Pretzels
Don’t Have Time for Lunch?
Fitness Magazine recently rated favorite granola, protein and energy bars. Here’s a look at their top picks for the 2008 Healthy Food Awards:
Best Meal Replacement Bar
Odwalla® Super Protein Nourishing Food Bar
Fruity taste that’s not chalky or artificial. Fills you up without weighing you down.
Per bar: 230 calories, 16g protein, 31g carbohydrate, 4.5g fat (1.5g saturated), 4g fiber.Best Energy Bar
Clif Bar® Oatmeal Raisin Walnut
An ideal snack pre- or post-workout, or any time you need an energy boost.
Per bar: 240 calories, 10g protein, 43g carbohydrate, 5g fat (1g saturated), 5g fiber.Best Granola Bar
Fiber One® Oats and Chocolate Granola Bars
Got a chocolate craving? Stash a few in your tote and get your fix without the guilt.
Per bar: 140 calories, 2g protein, 29g carbohydrate, 4g fat (1.5g saturated), 9g fiber.Copyright 2008, Fitness Magazine
