With everything that childcare providers do on a daily basis, coming up with breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas for some picky toddlers can be a challenge. I'm always looking for quick and healthy lunches, so please share. The list that follows is an emphasis on quick, and I'll say it first, you won't see anything creative here because we're going through the picky eating stage. As much as I'd like to cook creatively, groceries are too expensive and my waistline can't afford to eat what the children won't eat!
- WHOLE WHEAT ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZAS: or change it up by doing bagel pizzas or pizza quesadillas. We use marinara sauce, veggies (red or yellow peppers (yellow is my daughter's favorite color) or broccoli), and a little cheese on top. You could also use hamburg or turkey pepperoni for a some extra iron. Or try a Hawaiian pizza with pineapple and ham. I've had such a craving for Hawaiian pizza lately.
- QUESADILLAS: on whole wheat tortilla wraps with just about anything. You can add cheese, chicken and veggies. Mexican quesadillas with refried beans or black beans. Ham and cheese quesadillas. There are so many different varieties. Also, they taste just as good baked as they do fried. Actually, who am I kidding, they taste better fried, but we're thinking healthy, right.
- CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES: with a little bit of mayo. Also try it with slices of avocado, which are a great source of monounsaturated fats (heart healthy fat) and fiber. Avocados have more potassium than bananas. They are high in B Vitamins and Vitamin E. P.S. try avocados on turkey sandwiches, too. If you don't like the idea of avocados, you could use cranberries in your chicken salad.
- GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES: for sandwiches, I use the Pepperidge Farm Whole Wheat or Oatmeal bread (the only one I can find without high fructose corn syrup). For something different try grilled cheese and tomato. Or slice up the grilled cheese sandwiches so that the children can dip them in salsa, which may not be America's favorite condiment, but it is definitely mine! And while we're on the subject of salsa, use this in place of butter or margarine. It makes a great dip for broccoli and is delicious on a baked potato.
Lunch Sides:
- Canned fruit in 100% fruit juice only (fruit in heavy or light or any kind of syrup is not recommended).
- Brown rice with added veggies. There is the 90 second microwaveable rice, but when something is that easy, you can bet it's more processed. If you use the canned veggies, try the ones with no added salt.
- Baked beans are easy to prepare and are a great source of protein and iron.
- Applesauce is a winning side, as long as there is no added sugar. Try sprinkling some cinnamon on it.
As I sit here, I'm finding it really hard to remember what we actually eat everyday, and maybe I should start thinking outside the box a bit. I'll do that, as soon as the grocery store stops charging 4.00 for a loaf of bread.
One more thing, I stumbled on something so delicious this week. It is "Laughing Cow" (maybe I better verify that name). Yes, "The Laughing Cow" Original Swiss Cheese wedges. It is of the light variety, and it is absolutely scrumptious. Pair this with those "All Bran" garlic crackers, and you've got one tasty treat! I saw this "Laughing Cow" in the following book:
I've been working on creating some sample daycare forms, so check back soon for that.
Thanks for reading,
- Michelle
