It’s back to school, which means back to packing lunch for the kids…and for yourself, too! Here are a few fun ways to jazz up your lunchbox—no more soggy sandwiches or boring salads. These mouthwatering meal and side suggestions are creative and delicious. In fact, don’t be surprised if your lunch companions start offering trades 🙂

Punch up the presentation.

Punch up the presentation.

Say adios to square sandwiches in crinkly foil. Elevate lunchtime not just with fantastic food options but with an imaginative presentation, too. For instance, this PB-Banana Sushi: Slice a banana into sushi-like pieces, top each slice with a layer of peanut butter and garnish with fruit, like sliced strawberries, blueberries or pomegranate seeds. If you’re eating at work, simply bring all the ingredients with you and quickly assemble deskside or in the office kitchen. Another option: Make a pinwheel wrap by layering turkey, cheese, spinach leaves and your favorite sandwich fillings on a whole grain tortilla. Roll it up and cut into rounds.

Take a dip.

Take a dip.

Dips like hummus and salsa aren’t just scrumptious starters—they make tasty lunch box accompaniments, too. I regularly bring them to the office for a totable midday meal because they’re simple to prep and always hit the spot. I experiment with lots of variations of hummus, including lentil, edamame, and even pumpkin. The same goes for salsa; try my Artichoke Salsa rendition for a flavorful change of pace. I spoon some into a sealable container and stash a bunch of crunchy crudité, like bell pepper sticks, grape tomatoes, celery sticks, baby carrots and more.

Hydrate in style

Hydrate in style.

Sometimes, a standard turkey sandwich is all you need. I like to serve mine open-faced for double the bites, but if you’re taking one to go, it’s probably more practical to pack it between two slices of bread. Then, elevate your lunch experience with a special sip, like my Raspberry Mint Iced Tea or Peach-Raspberry Iced Tea stashed in a thermos to stay cool. A little flavor goes a long way and can be a refreshing change from plain old water.

Choose a cool container.

Choose a cool container.

I’m a nutritionist, so of course, I love a good salad. When I’m on the go, I often pack mine in a mason jar (it’s so pretty!) and layer all the ingredients so they stay fresh. Jarred salads are terrific because you can prep them ahead of time, they’re perfectly portable, and you can make so many variations. I love classic Cobb, but you can also whip up Chicken Caesar or Taco Salad in a mason jar. All the ingredients stay crisp (no soggy greens here); and all you have to do is shake and enjoy when you’re ready for lunch. Trendy and tasty!

Spoon up lunch.

Spoon up lunch.

Prefer to slurp your lunch on a spoon? Soup—either canned (opt for lower-salt varieties to keep sodium in check) or homemade is a great lunch option. Try my Non-Dairy Cream of Mushroom Soup or my Longevity Soup. Another good choice: Yogurt parfaits. Pack a yogurt and separate containers of chopped fruit, seeds, nuts and granola for layering on top. You can choose between Greek or traditional—note that Greek yogurt is a bit tangier than traditional but contains about twice the satiating protein. Here’s a general parfait formula you can follow.

Jazz Up Your Lunchbox

It’s back to school, which means back to packing lunch for the kids…and for yourself, too! Here are a few fun ways to jazz up your lunchbox—no more soggy sandwiches or boring salads. These mouthwatering meal and side suggestions are creative and delicious. In fact, don’t be surprised if your lunch companions start offering trades 🙂