These following ideas can spice up any brought-from-home lunch!

Packing a daily lunch, whether for work or school, can be a monotonous task. But there’s no reason to settle for ham-and-cheese or peanut butter and jelly every day. The following ideas are tasty, healthy and easy to make.

First of all, invest in an insulated lunchbox that can hold a frozen cold pack to keep food fresh and cool. No brown paper bags, please!

Sandwiches

People tend to get stuck eating the same sandwich every day. But these following combinations are so good, it’s tempting to always try a new one!

• Onion roll, mayonnaise/mustard, chicken strips or turkey, cheddar cheese (sliced or grated), avocado
• Sourdough bread, herb mayonnaise (or mustard), turkey, any type of cheese, lettuce, tomato
• Sourdough bread, tuna fish, jack cheese, lettuce, tomato
• Dark rye bread, chicken salad, lettuce
• Dark rye bread, Muenster cheese, (canned) cranberries, turkey (optional)
• Wheat bread, grated cheese, avocado, tomato

Pasta

Whether from last night’s dinner or store-bought, pastas are a tasty lunch option.

• Spiral noodles, spinach, tomato, feta cheese
• Angel hair pasta, tomato, zucchini, Parmesan cheese
• Noodles in cream sauce, vegetables, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese
• Cold spaghetti with mozzarella cheese
• Macaroni salad

Non-Pasta Options

• Three bean salad (kidney beans, garbanzo beans, green beans, with onion – often available pre-made at supermarkets)
• Potato salad
• Rice with vegetables
• Cottage cheese with raisins, served with fruit, crackers or Frito’s chips

Some Like It Hot

Bring a Thermos to keep the following hot:

Soups

• Tomato soup, with Parmesan-flavored goldfish crackers
• Lentil soup with grated cheese and a roll or Foccacia bread
• Potato soup with Foccacia bread
• Minestrone soup with grated Parmesan and garlic bread
• Chicken noodle soup with crackers

Other foods to put in a Thermos:

• Mashed potatoes with grated Cheddar cheese
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Stuffing
• Spaghetti-O’s (not just for children!)
• Chili (veggie or otherwise)

Chips

It’s hard not to want chips at lunchtime. Here are two ways to satisfy the craving in a healthy manner:

Purchase the individual 100-calorie packs of mini Pringles (the sour cream and onion flavor is delicious!) Eat the entire bag without feeling guilty.

Baked tortilla chips are another option. Pack a small container of guacomole or salsa for dipping.

Fruit

Fruit is important, but a plain apple can be so dull. Try a variety of canned fruits. Simply transfer fruit from can into a container and it’s ready!

• Mandarin oranges
• Cranberries
• Pears
• Peaches
• Fruit cocktail

For fresh fruit, snack on grapes or sliced banana with peanut butter and raisins.

Dessert

Don’t deprive yourself of dessert! It doesn’t mean endless munching on chocolate chip cookies. The following are satisfying, good-for-you desserts:

Pack a container of chocolate pudding. Bring ‘Nilla Wafer cookies and sliced banana – spread pudding on cookies and bananas, and enjoy!

Other treats to compliment pudding:

• Teddy Grahams
• Banana nut bread
• Pumpkin bread
• Angel food cake

Chocolate lovers, take note: Hershey’s makes an assorted bag of individual, bite-sized candy bars – the morsels include Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Krackel, Mr. Goodbar and Hershey’s Dark Chocolate. Just two or three bars is a satisfying treat.

Slice apples and sprinkle with cinnamon. Dip in honey or Cool Whip.

Spread a thin layer of chocolate cake frosting on plain or Cinnamon Graham Crackers; or spread a layer of vanilla cake frosting on chooclate Graham crackers.

Bring a milkshake in a Thermos (to keep it cold).

Happy Lunching!

For more lunch ideas, check out Quick Easy Healthy Lunches. And read suggestions for Healthy Snacks for Children.