Brown Bag Lunches can get boring. Kids may trade to get a lunch that they find more fun to eat. For adults, boredom can lead to a trip to the vending machine or convenience store- a difficult place to find healthful choices. It’s time to think outside the bag.

Think outside the bag

To start thinking “outside the bag,” use the ideas below to put together a fun lunch that brown baggers of all ages will enjoy. Be sure to add your favorites to the list!

Note: Add a freezer pack and insulated bag to keep foods safe until lunch time.

Pick from these whole grains choices—pick one or two:

• Whole grain crackers
• Whole grain mini-bagel or pita bread
• Toasted whole grain English muffin
• Low fat granola in a one-quarter cup container
• Quinoa, rice, or pasta salad

Vegetable choices—pick two or more 1/2 cup servings:

• Three bean salad, with added beets and olives, dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil
• Hummus
• Vegetable soup (1-cup) in a thermos or microwave safe container
• Baby carrots
• Celery sticks
• Cherry or grape tomatoes
• Cooked green beans
• Sweet pepper strips
• Cooked corn the cob (6”ear = ½ cup; 8-9” ear =1 cup)
• Salad (1-cup) with one tablespoon of dressing

Fruit choices—pick one:

• Favorite fall apples
• Dried fruit packed in a one-quarter cup container
• Frozen berries packed in a one-half cup container (they thaw by lunchtime)
• One-cup 100% juice

Dairy/high calcium choices—pick one:

• Chocolate milk or calcium–fortified soy milk
• Yogurt
• String cheese
• High calcium hot cocoa packet or already made up in a thermos
• Pudding

Protein choices—pick one:

• Turkey or chicken breast or roast beef slices
• Canned tuna, salmon or other fish
• Bean salad or spread from above (beans count as protein AND vegetable)
• Flavored baked tofu or tempeh chunks
• Chunky peanut butter, sunflower seed or almond butter

You can create delicious lunch combinations:

• Whole grain crackers and cheese, chicken and vegetable soup in a thermos, a serving of celery sticks, chocolate milk to drink and a Ginger Gold apple.
• Three-bean salad with grape tomatoes, rice or quinoa, and an apple with peanut butter.
• Toasted whole grain English muffin with tomato, turkey, and low fat cheese with 100% grape juice to drink.

Brown bag lunches won’t be boring anymore!

Printed with permission from the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society, Inc. Copyright 2010.