School lunches have been a contentious topic in school policy, family discussions, and even the realm of national politics. So who knew that simply making a healthy meal at home or preparing a lunch that isn’t just a slice of pizza could cancel all that noise?
On the one hand, school lunches are just like any other meal. But on the other, school lunches are prepared for growing minds and bodies, so a little extra care and attention can go a long way.
If you’re looking for refreshing ideas for school lunches that can be as delicious as they are nutritious, you’re in the right place. MediPlan Diet Services can take you through many healthy and appetizing recipes step by step.
For Breakfast
Intermittent fasting has become a popular diet for weight watchers, but for young people who are still developing physically and mentally, skipping breakfast is not recommended. The day’s first meal provides brain fuel and muscle ammo to get the busy student through the day’s classes and activities.
One simple breakfast recipe is this ham sandwich with mango chutney. You can prepare this warm sandwich in three easy steps:
- Fry two slices of ham and one or two eggs in a skillet
- Place the ham and the eggs and two teaspoons of chutney between two muffin halves
- Place in a preheated broiler for a minute and a half, and then serve
This recipe provides a well-balanced quantity of carbs, protein, and fat, but not too much fat. It’ll keep anyone from being cranky and lethargic before lunch hour arrives.
For Lunch
Making lunch with elements from all three macronutrient groups – fat, carbs, and protein – is a challenge when the food also needs to keep its form while bouncing around in a lunch box for hours. Here are a few tips so your school lunch, or your kids’ lunches, can be something to eagerly anticipate:
- Invest in Bento boxes to enable easy transport and to teach portion control
- Prepare the food the night before to reduce the morning rush
- To avoid monotony, rotate recipes week by week, and plan and shop in advance
- Opt for fruit snacks instead of bags of chips
Here’s a good recipe to include in a lunch: Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders.
- Place a cup of almond meal in a shallow bowl. Season with half a teaspoon of garlic powder, plus paprika, onion powder, pepper, salt, and a quarter teaspoon of cumin.
- Dip 1 pound of boneless chicken breast into an egg wash of one whole egg and one egg white whisked together.
- Press the chicken into the almond meal mixture to coat, and bake for 15 minutes until each side golden brown.
For Dinner
People look for dinner at a time when they’re tired and hungry. So here’s a quick and healthy recipe to get dinner on the table easily: Crockpot Chicken Tacos.
- Place one pound of boneless chicken breast, one cup of salsa, and two tablespoons of taco seasoning in a slow cooker, and cook on low heat for 6 hours. A roommate or a family member can turn this off if you set an alarm.
- Remove the chicken and shred it, then add it back to the pot and combine everything.
- Plate the chicken mixture on top of lettuce or tortillas. You can double the recipe and have leftovers to reheat or to freeze.
Cooking healthy isn’t always easy, but with a plan from MediPlan Diet Services, you can have delicious meals that are simple to prepare. Schedule an appointment to see just how healthy school lunches can be.