Pool days call for easy, quick lunches that require little work and can be packed in a cooler or lunch box. Here are five simple lunches for you and your kids to enjoy while you’re soaking in the sun at the pool.
1) Turkey and Pesto Wrap
Wraps make a fantastic lunch because they are different than the typical sandwich and can be easily altered to cater to your picky eaters. This turkey and pesto wrap is a fresh twist on an ordinary sandwich.
What you’ll need:
- Whole-Wheat wrap
- Turkey
- Pesto
- Tomato
- Spinach
- Fresh or shredded mozzarella
- Balsamic vinegar
Lay out the wrap. Spread pesto on one half and place turkey, tomato slices, spinach and cheese on top. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over everything and roll it up. Slice in half and enjoy!
2) Salad in a Jar
Salads in a jar are the newest rage for busy moms trying to keep a healthy diet. They’re quick to put together and can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to hit the pool.
What you’ll need:
- Large mason jar or cylinder Tupperware
- Your favorite salad dressing
- Chicken or ham, cubed
- Your favorite type of lettuce/spinach
- Vegetables such as cucumbers, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, etc.
Pour the salad dressing into the jar. It’s important that this is on the bottom to prevent things from getting soggy. Put moisture-resistant veggies (red peppers, cucumbers, etc.) on top of the dressing. Place any other veggies in the jar, followed by your meat. Greens go on top. Tightly secure the lid and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat it, just shake it up and it’s ready to go.
3) Homemade lunchables
Kids love lunchables. But unfortunately, they can be very pricey. Make your own homemade lunchables to save money while still providing your kids a meal they will love!
What you’ll need:
Square or rectangular Tupperware
- Ham or turkey slices
- Cheese slices
- Ritz crackers
- Fruit such as apple slices or grapes
- Juice box
Assemble everything into the Tupperware and store in the fridge.
4) Sandwich and fruit kabobs
Forget the typical sandwich. This is a great lunch, especially for younger children, because they love eating the meat, bread and cheese with their fingers.
What you’ll need:
- Wooden skewers/kabob sticks
- Bread, cut into cubes
- Cheese, cubed
- Turkey or ham, cubed
- Fruit cut into small chunks (apples, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, etc.)
Cut the meat, bread and cheese into cubes and skewer onto a wooden stick. Cut the fruit into bite-size pieces and skewer onto a separate stick.
5) Chicken Caesar salad in a pita
What you’ll need:
- 1 head Romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Parmesan cheese
- Grilled chicken, cubed
*Use pre-cooked to save time - Whole-wheat or white pita bread
- Caesar salad dressing
Chop the lettuce into bite-size pieces and wash thoroughly. Cut the tomatoes in half and cube the chicken. Mix lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and dressing in a large bowl. Spoon into pita bread.
*Note: If the salad-filled pita sits too long, it may get soggy. To prevent this, omit the dressing and bring with you in a cooler. When you’re ready to eat, drizzle the dressing inside the pita and enjoy.
