To many kids, lunch is a time to socialize and catch up on nutrients to finish out the school day. This time is a break that allows kids to rest their minds and regain fuel before starting classes again! It is important that the food that is served from the cafeteria is good for the students so that they can enjoy this time! Our cafeteria does a great job already, considering their budget and menu, but I wanted to take the time to introduce some new lunch ideas! It is important that the lunch is both appealing and rich in nutrients!
Grilled Chicken Wrap: The first lunch idea that would be beneficial for students is grilled chicken wraps with veggies inside as well! I feel that this would be an extremely good option because it includes a source of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables! If cheese was added or a dressing, it would also include a source of lipids! To add more, it could be served with a side of fruit! Fruits are always nice to add to lunch because they are a healthy source of sugar (fructose). Since a wrap and fruit is probably an insufficient amount for most high schoolers, some chips on the side would pair well! Even though chips aren’t the healthiest, it’s important to have balance in your life! Not all things have to be cut out!
Bagels and Toast: This lunch may be odd to many because bagels are primarily thought of as a breakfast item. However, in this day and age, bagels are popular at all times of the day! Having a bagel bar would be fantastic! For those who are not a fan of bagels, you could offer toast as an alternative. Gluten-free options would also be nice for those with a gluten allergy. The bar could consist of toppings such as avocado, cream cheeses, jelly, butter, peanut butter, eggs, veggies, fruits, and seasonings! This would allow the students to create their own lunch. Also, bacon could be served on the side as a way to incorporate more protein. Overall, I think that many people would enjoy a bagel and toast bar! It would almost be like a breakfast bar but for lunch!
Homemade Big Macs: This may seem like an unhealthy lunch, but in fact, it is not as bad as the real thing. Homemade big macs are not difficult to make! The secret sauce is easy to find on the internet and is not complex. The extra thought put into preparing a homemade version of the sandwich would make it much more special to the students! It would be a healthier option than typical fast food, and many kids enjoy McDonald's, so it would most likely be pretty popular! It could be served with fries, which again, may not be the healthiest, but it’s important to have fries with your burger! It could be served with fruit as well to contribute more nutrients. I think this would be a favorite!
Spring Rolls and Sushi: While some people may not like these lunches, it could be considered a bar so that they aren’t the main lunches. Many people do enjoy sushi and spring rolls! For the most part, both are considered healthy and make a good meal! Spring rolls usually contain both protein and veggies. Sushi usually has protein in the form of fish, which is usually raw. To be safe, the fish could be cooked to prevent any mishaps. Also, sushi usually contains veggies, rice, and seaweed, all of which are good for you! These lunches would be a bit unique, but I think that many people would appreciate them!
Cheese and Crackers Board: While this may seem like the simplest lunch ever, that doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t be refreshing. Including a plate of crackers, cheese, and meats would cover many of the components of a meal! It would include carbohydrates, lipids, and protein! Adding vegetables and fruits on the side would be needed also. Some people are snackers so this would be a nice lunch for those who like to snack! It would be a good source of nutrients before going back to class.
Our school does a good job of producing lunch already, but I just wanted to share some ideas that I think would benefit the kids! I appreciate all the hard work the lunch ladies of our school put into our meals, and I want to thank them for it! I think it’s really important to amp up some of our meals for a good variety!