Remember that packing lunch saves calories, money, and time!

Here are some ideas for your lunchbox:

• Freeze a bottle of water – it will keep your lunch cold.
• Think beyond the sandwich: If you have access to a refrigerator or have an insulated container, there is no end to your brown-bag options.
• Make your lunches interesting with fruit & cheese kabobs.
• Sneak in the veggies like green pepper, cucumber, or zucchini on sandwiches.
• Use spinach instead of lettuce.
• If you’re used to having traditional lunch meats, choose low-fat and low-sodium meats, like turkey or chicken breast.
• Vary the breads you use- try whole-grain breads, rye or raisin bread, pita bread, or even a wheat bagel. These breads hold up better and can be healthful.
• Fruit or green salads, hard-boiled egg, sliced chicken, or tuna salad (made with fat-free mayo) all keep well, if chilled.
• If you have a microwave, heat up leftovers from the night before. When preparing dinner, prepare an extra chicken breast, fish, or lean pork tenderloin.
• Try stuffing broccoli in a pita with some low-fat cheese and heat it at lunch time.
• Put extra salmon or chicken breast over a bed of greens.
• Salad toppings aren’t limited to meat either – try leftover green beans or pasta.
• If you purchase ready-made frozen meals, such as Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice, be sure to read the label and make sure they are not too high in sodium or carbohydrate. Also, because the calories can be low, add fruit, vegetables, and/or low-fat yogurt.
• Add Greek yogurt. The most nutritious is plain yogurt and add your own frozen fruit.
• Challenge yourself to include colors of the rainbow, especially vegetables and fruit. Look how amazingly delicious this sandwich looks!