A Look At Nutritious Brown Bag Lunches

If you are confused and overwhelmed about all the possibilities for brown bag lunches you are not alone. Whether you are concerned about sending your child to school with a nutritious lunch or want to up your own nutrition during the workday there are plenty of options to choose from. Now you no longer need to be stuck with the same old brown bag lunch day after day. Here are some options to up the nutrition of the brown bag lunch and keep lunch delicious as well.

Franks ‘n Beans Soup

This super simple four ingredient recipe is so easy your kids can make it themselves. It’s loved by kids and adults for lunch. For some added appeal (and nutrition) add a small bag of grated cheese to sprinkle on top.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
10 oz. can condensed bean and bacon soup
10 oz. can condensed tomato soup
1-1/2 cups water
3 hot dogs cut into 1/2″ pieces

Preparation:
Combine all of the ingredients in a large saucepan, stirring to combine the soups with the water. Heat thoroughly and pack in thermos for lunch.

Turkey Hummus Sandwiches

You can make this sandwich a meat lovers delight by adding ham or cooked chicken, or make a meatless recipe by leaving out the meat and adding more veggies. Do not be afraid of the veggies if you are making this for your child. This recipe received high kudos from kid testers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup hummus (using store bought makes this super-easy)
4 bagels, cut in half (consider using mini-bagels for a small child)
4 slices deli cooked turkey
1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
8 leaves spinach

Preparation:
Spread hummus over all of the bagel slices. Layer the remaining ingredients to form a sandwich on top of four of the bagel halves and cover with remaining bagel halves to form sandwiches. Makes 4 sandwiches

Mini Hero Sandwiches

Kids love this sandwich on a hot dog bun. The size and texture of the hot dog buns are perfect for this hero sandwich version. If making this for a child just use whatever type of meat and cheese your kids prefer in this simple recipe and add or subtract the preferred condiments

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
4 hot dog or regular deli buns, split
4 slices deli cooked turkey
4 slices American cheese
4 slices deli cooked ham
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

Preparation:
Spread a thin layer of butter onto cut sides of the hot dog buns. Mix mustard and mayonnaise and spread over butter. Layer remaining ingredients in buns to make sandwiches. 4 sandwiches

Applesauce Granola Cookies

These simple cookies are classic and delicious, perfect for packing into a lunchbox for an adult or child. This is a great way to tempt your child with a “sweet” and sneak in nutrition all at once.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
2 cups flour
2 cups granola (you can up the nutrition by making your own)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, combine brown sugar, shortening, vanilla and egg and mix until well blended. Add applesauce and blend well. Stir in flour, granola, baking soda and salt and mix well. Drop by tablespoons onto cookie sheets, about 2″ apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until cookies spring back when lightly touched in center. Cool 2 minutes, then remove from cookie sheets. 42 cookies