Adults aren’t the only ones who need protein. Kids need it too! Adding protein to your kids’ lunches can help to keep them feeling full and help to balance out any mid-day energy crashes from higher-carb/sugary snacks. Don’t get me wrong, kids absolutely need carbohydrates! Especially since they are growing and literally never stop moving. So, adding protein can help them maintain their energy and keep them feeling their best. With that being said, I know the struggle of packing lunches and sending your kids with something they will actually eat. So here are a few ideas that I have been using lately.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
You may also know these as Pinwheels!
What you need:
- Tortilla of choice
- Favorite condiments
- Sliced Turkey
- Sliced Cheese
What to do:
Take a tortilla – and spread whatever condiments (mayo, mustard, pesto, guacamole, etc) throughout the tortilla.
Overlap a few pieces of turkey and cheese.
Roll it up, and cut it into a few grabbable-sized pieces.
Other things to send:
- Baby carrots
- Cucumbers
- Berries
Deconstructed Tacos
This works great if you have a bento-style box!
What you need:
- Ground beef (seasoned with taco seasoning – this is my go-to)
- Beans of choice (black beans, pinto, refried)
- Corn (canned or frozen)
- shredded cheese
What to do:
Separate the ingredients into different compartments.
Send with chips or mini tortillas for your kids to dip or make their own tacos with.
You can also send this all mixed up with a side of tortilla strips for added crunch.
Other things to send:
- Guac cup
- Sliced apple
- Edamame
Breakfast for Lunch
This one is so simple that I think people just don’t think about it! This one also works great if you have a way of separating the ingredients.
What you need:
- Greek or whole-fat yogurt
- Mini Kodiak pancakes (these thaw out perfectly)
- Eggs
- Breakfast sausage links
- Berries
What to do:
Scramble or hard boil your eggs
Cut up your sausage
Add all ingredients to the box!
*if you are worried about the sausage or eggs staying warm you can omit these and do a larger yogurt portion and add things to make it a bowl/parfait style meal*
Other things to send:
- Berries/granola to mix into yogurt
- Small thing of honey, nut/seed butter, jelly, syrup for pancakes
Banana Sushi
This is a fun one! Especially for the littles.
What you need:
- For these I like to use egg wraps
- Nut/seed butter
- Banana
- Yogurt
- Jelly (optional)
What to do:
Spread out your wrap
Spread nut/seed butter throughout the wrap
Next, spread a few spoonfuls of yogurt across the wrap
If you are adding jelly you can add this now
Peel your banana and place across the wrap
Roll it up and cut into like sushi-sized pieces
Other things to send:
- Grapes
- Granola
Homemade Pizza Pockets
This one seems to be a bigger hit for my older boys.
What you need:
Croissant dough
Turkey pepperoni
Pizza or marinara sauce
Shredded cheese
Cottage cheese *optional*
What to do:
Roll out your croissant dough
Add a spoonful of sauce to each roll (for extra protein you can blend a little bit of cottage cheese with your sauce)
Add a few pepperoni slices and shredded cheese to roll
Roll up and bake according to the croissant package
*These can be heated/re-heated the morning off and wrapped to stay warm*
Other things to send:
- Sweet peppers/bell peppers
Happy packing!
Your MM Coach,
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