What Can You Put in a Kid's Lunch Box besides PBJ

Peanut butter and jelly is the all time staple of kid's lunches. But sometimes, you just have to encourage your child to develop an interest in other foods. Here are our suggestionsfor great snacks and sandwiches to broaden his eating habits.

Make sure that a new item is attractive packed to tempt him to taste something different. A good way to encourage trying a new food, is to buy him a new lunch box and include this food as the special of the day. Adding hummus is a greatway to get a child to eat carrots, celery and peppers. Hummus comes in tiny packs with these veggies included; this is a easy healthy snack that will fill tiny tummies for hours.

What's an AB&C? An Almond Butter & Cranberry sandwich, of course! Bust out of your lunch-packing rut and give your kid's taste buds a break. Slather her favorite bread with almond butter and sprinkle with dried cranberries and slivered almonds. It's bound to become a classic in your house!

Trail Mix is a great snack. Loaded with protein and fiber, this trail mix has enough fuel to energize your child until dinnertime. Dried fruits and chocolate chips make it a kid favorite. Here's a favorite easy to prepare recipe that will keep for weeks.

TRAIL MIX RECIPE Servings Per Recipe 6 cupsIngredients 3 cups low-fat granola 1 cup golden raisins 1 cup rice cereal 1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional) Directions In a large bowl or plastic bag, combine all ingredients. Toss to mix

For a new twist; make peanut butter and jelly part of desert.A lunch box staple, the PB&J gets reinvented as a peanut butter dessert bar frosted with jam and chopped peanuts. No crust necessary!These dense, no-bake cereal bars pack a peppy punch any time of day with peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, bran flakes, and dried cranberries.

If you are in a school that doesn't allow peanut butter because of allergies,substitute almond butter. A delicious and healthy alternative to peanut butter.

We would to have you share favorite lunch and snack recipes. Contact us at info@namelynewborns.com and we will publish your recipes in our blog.