A Month of Lunch Ideas

Tortilla wrap with Bean Chili Turkey and cheese Cheese and cream cheese, sandwich on whole small chicken Whole wheat shredded carrots, wheat bread, with cubes with diced bell peppers, crackers tomato slices on grape tomatoes

spinach, green on- Cheese slices the side cut in half and ions, jack cheese cucumbers with Egg salad sandwich Apricots Carrot sticks and whole wheat with diced celery Nut butter with zucchini slices crackers and red pepper on whole wheat crack- (Steamed vegeta- whole wheat bread ers or trail mix if ble for kids under Applesauce over 4 years old 4 years old) Yogurt Peaches Pears Mandarin oranges

Chicken salad Hard-boiled egg, Pizza slices with Greek pasta salad Banana wrap sandwich with peeled cheese and vegeta- with chopped cu- with whole

diced celery and bles cumber, tomato wheat tortilla, green pepper on Cheese cubes and black olives, nut butter and Apple slices sprin- whole wheat bread Whole wheat roll feta cheese and banana kled with lemon Italian dressing Yogurt Grape tomatoes juice Sugar snap

cut in half Whole wheat pita peas Clementine Kiwi fruit Watermelon Yogurt

Turkey and cheese Bean and cheese Wheat pasta salad Yogurt parfait Tuna rolled around pick- quesadilla with with beans or ham with sunflower Salad le spear with whole brown rice, tomato cubes, cheese cu- seeds, granola Sandwich grain crackers and salsa bes and shredded and fruit (mix with shredded vegetables with at school)

carrots and diced Red bell pepper Fruit salad Italian dressing celery Nut butter Fruit cocktail in Cantaloupe with whole Yogurt water or juice wheat crackers

Tangerine

Peanut butter (or Apple chicken Whole wheat Hummus with Inside out other nut butter) wrap: Mix diced macaroni and whole wheat pita sandwich made and jelly on whole apples and chicken cheese made with bread with bread

wheat bread breast with yogurt bell peppers stick, cheese or cottage cheese; Cheese cubes and turkey slice Cucumber slices Orange slices spread on wheat Broccoli with lettuce with ranch tortilla and add wrapped on dressing Apple Slices spinach and cheese outside

Yogurt with Pineapple Grapes (cut in

berries half)

Handout available at: www.tchd.org/295/Nutrition-in-Child-Care Rev. 10/2018 A Month of Menus for Preschoolers

Have you tried to spice up the kids’ lunch boxes with foods other than the tried and true peanut butter and jelly? The following ideas include a balance and variety of foods and may be just the spark you need to get some fresh ideas. Remember, children need regular exposures to new foods before they will accept them.

Watch out for foods that can cause choking for children under age four. Some foods that young children can choke on include hot dogs, raw carrots, apple pieces, whole grapes, fruits with pits, and popcorn.

When planning a healthy lunch, keep in mind that it should include a variety of food groups.

 1–2 servings of vegetables

 1 fruit

 Whole grains such as whole wheat bread, pasta, or brown rice

 A good source of lean protein such as beans, eggs, chicken, fish, beef

 A good source of calcium such as milk, cheese, or yogurt

Serve lunches with water or low-fat, unflavored milk to drink.

If there is no refrigeration for your child’s lunch box, be sure to include an ice pack.

Make ahead tip—Cook the pasta for salads over the weekend. Chop vegetables to store until packing the lunch.

When sending hot foods, put in an insulated container designed for packed lunches. Or, if possible, have an adult heat the food for your child.

Enjoy your food choices and perhaps these tasty foods may be just right for your lunch, too!

Handout available at: www.tchd.org/295/Nutrition-in-Child-Care Rev. 10/2018