LUNCHBOX nutritious lunch box suggestions

Last Tuesday, Whole Foods Market's Healthy Eating Specialist Gerrie Adams joined us for a fantastic Chalk Talk about easy and healthful ways to cook for a family. She shared a creative list of nutritious lunch box suggestions that we wanted to share with all of you!

• Yummy Oat Bars (see recipe here)  
• Sticks and Stones 
• Carrot Sticks, Celery Sticks, Jicama Sticks, Nuts, Granola Clusters 
• Pita Pockets 
• You can put anything in these easy to stuff treats! 
• Ants on a Log 
• Celery filled with peanut butter or cream cheese topped with ants (raisins) 
• Fruit Dippers
• Apple Slices 
• Carrots
• Banana Splits 
• Take one banana and cut in half, place at bottom of container 
• Sprinkle favorite cereal or granola on top 
• Top with favorite yogurt 
• Finish off with some blueberries or strawberries
• Roll Ups 
• Spread a whole wheat tortilla with hummus. Add favorite veggies (artichokes, cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens, picks, etc) and cut them down to easy to eat pinwheel shapes.
• Smoothie Shakers 
•  Put your favorite smoothie in a shaker cup and freeze the night before. Smoothie should be ready to shake and drink at lunch time.
• Trail Mixes 
• Use prepared store mixes or make your own with your children's favorite treats. Add cocoa nibs for that little something extra.
• Peanut Butter Snackers 
• Make your own little peanut butter crackers using a low calorie, crunchy rice cracker. 
• Rice and Grain Salads 
• Bagleicious Sandwiches
• Use whole wheat or whole grain bagels instead of bread to give a different twist to sandwiches 

(Photo from Discovery Education)

Contributed by Alyssa, Marketing