Nut-Aware Lunch Ideas
Involve your child in packing his or her lunch. It allows them the freedom and responsibility of choice and direct input, and it contributes to the development of their independence.
Please send your children to school with a healthy, nutritious, nut-aware lunch. We suggest a simple lunch which includes a sandwich, cut fresh fruit and/or vegetable and a 100% juice, milk or water beverage. Do not allow your children to choose soda, candy or excessively sweet foods. Directors may have their own lunch requirements, which will be communicated to parents as appropriate. Please do not drop off “fast food” lunches for your children.
All of the following suggestions are tree nut-aware options. However, all processed items should be checked to ensure they come from a tree nut-aware plant or other environment.
Things We've Observed
** Prepackaged store-bought lunches are rarely finished.
** Less processed is better. Fresh is healthier.
** The smaller the slices, the more get eaten. Many almost whole (or partially eaten) fruits and vegetables are composted.
** Dips are always popular and kids eat more fruits and veggies when they are served with a dip.
Main Courses
Bagel sandwiches, i.e. bagels and cream cheese with jelly and/or meats and/or cheeses
Wraps
Veggieburgers
Salads
Pizza
String Cheese, or cheese slices, cubes, sticks, or chunks with crackers
Cottage cheese with or without fresh fruit mixed in
Rolled up slices of turkey, ham, tofurkey, etc…
Quesadillas or tortillas rolled up with pickles and cream cheese etc.
Hard-boiled eggs (especially when an egg slicer is included)
Burritos
Thermos - pastas, chili or macaroni and cheese
Bacon
Refried beans with cheese
Cucumber slices with cream cheese sandwiches
Sides
Fresh fruit slices or chunks, with or without dip
Dried fruit
Applesauce
Popcorn
Tortilla chips
Sunflower seeds
Pickles
Olives
Desserts (Please no chocolate, suckers or gum)
Yogurt, cup or tube
(Yogurt covered) Raisins
Honey stix or graham crackers
Cold cereal without milk (i.e. frosted flakes, honey cheerios, etc.)
Fruit snacks
Jello