Healthy Lunch Box Pizzas for Back to School!
Is it me, or do the summer vacations and Christmas breaks get shorter and shorter every year? I have to admit I wasn’t ready for the kids to go back to school just yet, but ready or not, they had to go! And so it’s back to the hectic schedule of running all over town, helping with the homework, and making school lunches! Anyone running out of lunch ideas yet? Me, too.
So, I gave it some thought, and considering 99% of Americans have probably resolved to get a little more healthy in some way this year, I came up with a plan.
It involves mini DIY pizzas the kids can make themselves, with all the toppings they love the most (or at least the semi-healthy ones!).
They all start with a simple pita for a crust. Whole wheat, white, or whatever else you choose is fine.
You’ll also need some small containers to pack the toppings in. I found this 4-pack at Dollar General for only $1, and they’re perfect!
You know your kids, but I’d suggest this plan works best for around 3rd grade and up. The child should be able to assemble the pizza themselves in a minute or so. (Teachers all want to remind us they do not have time for making these for the kids!)
Peanut butter with banana slices is my youngest’s favorite (and probably the favorite of most kids), but there are so many other options to be thought up as well!
I made the Mexican with refried beans, then added lettuce, cheese, taco sauce and black olives. So many more possibilities here, as well!
A good vegetable pizza option is to start with hummus, then add broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and cheese. Lots of nutrition here!
For the adventurous kids, try the cream cheese spread, then add baby spinach, strawberries, and a little poppyseed dressing.
And for those less adventurous, there’s always the traditional pepperoni!
Ask your kids what toppings they might like, then try them out! Building the pizza themselves is much of the fun, and may be just the incentive they need to try the healthier options!
And here’s a great tip– rather than buy several large packages of each ingredient, shop your market’s salad bar and buy just the amount of each that you need. Saves you money and gives you more ideas, too!
I hope this gives you a few new ideas for your kids’ lunch boxes! If you think of some other combinations that may be good, share them below!
One task on the to-do list done, only 99 more to go, right?
Local East Tennessee friends–tune in to see me share these ideas on the noon show on Wednesday on WVLT Volunteer TV, channel 8!
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January 6, 2016 @ 1:07 pm
These are fun, but be warned that many school systems do not allow students to bring even plastic knives to school. They only serve foods that can be eaten by hand or with a fork or spoon. Bringing a plastic knife is grounds for disciplinary action in our school system, as ridiculous as that might sound. So if you're unsure of your local system's policy, you may want to check.
January 6, 2016 @ 1:27 pm
Yes- good point! In a case like that a plastic spoon can be used to spread as well!