GOOD EATS
Power-Packed Lunchbox Ideas
P Chinese Mandarin
Pasta Salad Bento Box
Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box
acking and prepping wholesome lunches
doesn’t have to be a chore. You can kick
health into high gear this school year with
new ideas to make creative, nutrient-rich meals.
Fit to satisfy various dietary restrictions,
the Power Your Lunchbox program offers kid-
friendly options and allergy-sensitive selections.
The program, which is dedicated to helping
families make healthier lunches during the
school year, features more than 80 registered
dietitian-approved, family-tested meal ideas
with produce as a focal point.
Consider skipping the typical sandwich, chips
and apple. Instead, it only takes a few minutes to
embark on a creative approach to lunch. Get the
kids involved by having them use small cookie
cutters to make fresh fruits and vegetables into
fun shapes. Try complementing the produce with
wraps or soups to add extra excitement to typical
lunchbox fare.
Regardless if your child is a picky eater or is on
the more adventurous side, bento box lunches
such as Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box
and Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box can prove to be
satisfying, power-packed meals. ■
Chinese Mandarin
Pasta Salad Bento Box
Prep time: 20 minutes, Servings: 1
16 6
3 3
2 ½
½ ¼
1 ½
ounces rotini pasta
mini sweet peppers, sliced
mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
green onions, sliced
cups baby spinach, chopped
cup matchstick carrots
cup sesame ginger dressing
cup chow mein noodles
kiwi, peeled and sliced
cup steamed edamame
Get the kids involved
by having them
use small cookie
cutters to make
fresh fruits and
vegetables into
fun shapes.
Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box
Prep time: 10 minutes, Servings: 1
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
¼ cup cooked turkey meat, seasoned with taco
seasoning 2 tablespoons shredded cheese
4 cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons guacamole
1 ounce tortilla chips
Assemble taco salad with lettuce, taco meat,
cheese and tomatoes.
Place in the lunchbox with guacamole and chips.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain
and rinse with cool water.
In a large bowl, mix pasta, peppers, oranges,
green onions, spinach, carrots and dressing. Toss
to coat well. Top with chow mein noodles.
Place in the lunchbox with kiwi and edamame.
For more lunchbox inspiration, visit poweryourlunchbox.com.
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