Sandwich Dressings light mayo  mustard  honey-mustard  honey  hummus  horseradish  cranberry sauce  applesauce  tomato sauce  Share your advice!

Nut Butter Sandwich Additions  bananas  raisins  dried cranberries  shredded carrots  shredded apples  honey  coconut  Share your advice!

Non-sandwich garden salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, shredded carrots, red and green peppers, radishes)  three bean salad (three bean salad tossed with garden salad and tri-colored pasta)  pasta salad (tri-colored pasta tossed with garden salad)  hard boiled egg  deviled eggs  rice salad (with pine nuts, dried cranberries, raisins, etc.)  pasta in yogurt  soy hot dogs  fresh (not fried) spring rolls  sushi  popcorn  whole-grain crackers  Share your advice!

For the Thermos chili  soup  baked beans topped with shredded cheese  pasta with sauce (add extra veggies to the sauce)  oatmeal  fruit smoothie with yogurt  Share your advice!

Snacks

apples  bananas  orange (best served peeled and segmented)  grapes  peaches  pears  plums  nectarines  apricots (fresh or dried)  tomatoes  cherry tomatoes  prunes  strawberries  blueberries  cherries  raspberries  pineapple chunks  red grapefruit (peeled and segmented)

carrots (baby or large, peeled)  celery sticks  red and green peppers, sliced  broccoli  cauliflower  garden salad  sliced veggies (carrots, celery, peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.) & low-fat ranch dip  celery sticks filled with cream cheese or peanut butter and raisins  raisins  prunes (dried plums)  dried cranberries  dates  figs

nuts (unsalted or lightly salted peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.)  seeds (sesame, sunflower)  soy beans (edamame)  granola (baked rolled oats, butter, nuts, dried fruit, raisins, chocolate chips)  popcorn  unsalted or low-salt pretzels  graham crackers  high-fiber cereal

cottage cheese  string cheese  cheese cubes  apple and cheese slices  apple slices and peanut butter  whole wheat crackers topped with cheese  whole wheat crackers topped with peanut butter  whole wheat crackers topped with light cream cheese  yogurt (add fruit, granola, etc.)  corn on the cob  Share your advice!

 

Dips and spreads for fruits and veggies light salad dressing (Italian, ranch, vinaigrette)  balsamic vinegar and olive oil  hummus  tahini  plain yogurt  tomato sauce  cream cheese  peanut butter  almond butter  cashew butter  honey  Share your advice!

Other Fresh Ideas

• Add fresh herbs, such as parsley, dill, cilantro, to salads and sandwiches – for extra flavor and nutrients. 
• Add nuts and seeds to salads. 
• Don’t forget lettuce comes in a variety of colors and flavors – if your child doesn’t like iceberg, try romaine or red-leaf, for example. 
• Try cutting sandwiches into fun shapes or sizes – quarters, in half diagonally or horizontally, into thirds, etc. Or use a cookie cutter. 
• If your child complains of soggy sandwiches, pack veggies (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, etc.) in a separate baggie. 
• For a non-food treat, enclose a little note or stickers. 
• For a sweet treat, add a cookie or piece of chocolate to your child’s lunch. Remember, however, less processed is best. 
• Share your advice!