Healthy School Lunch Options for Special Diets

Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture has allowed schools to ease up on past restrictions to sodium, refined grains, and sugar being served in school cafeterias. Despite the evidence of diet-related diseases, America’s 30 million schoolchildren will once again be subject to unhealthy school meals. 

For children on specialized diets, it may, then, become increasingly challenging for the school to comply. And packing a lunch for children on special diets can be discouraging and often times frustrating.  But with the right resources, information, and knowledge we can send our kids with tasty, nutritious meals that follow their dietary restrictions. 

• A great option is Grain-Free Blender Sandwich Bread. This easy-to-make gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free bread is perfect for making sandwiches or to use as a snack with some hummus or almond butter.

• If your children prefer sandwich wraps, making Grain-Free Wraps has never been so easy!

• Another must have item is Crustless Broccoli Cheddar Quiche Muffins. Mini quiches are a great grab-and-go breakfast option or lunchbox addition that can be packed with veggies. If following a casein-free diet as well, non-dairy milk and cheese substitutes may be used. Click here to review some alternatives!

• All kids love mac and cheese. This gluten-free Quinoa Mac & Cheese is packed with protein, iron, and fiber and can easily be transformed into a dairy free option by replacing the milk and cheese with alternatives from the link above!

• A classic comfort food turned gluten-free, Gluten- & Egg-Free Mini Chicken Pot Pies, are hearty bites of protein and veggies!

• Broccoli Nuggets are another option to hide some veggies in your child’s school lunch. These delicious nuggets can easily be altered to meet a gluten-free and/or casein-free diet by substituting with gluten-free organic flour, gluten-free bread crumbs, and non-diary cheese. 

• If your child can be sent with a thermos, these gluten-free casein-free meatballs are a quick and easy protein packed addition to a packed lunch. 

• For those of us who are more comfortable in the kitchen, quinoa fritters, zucchini noodles with fresh tomato sauce, sweet potato sliders, and gluten-free casein-free pizza twists can be wonderful options for packed lunches!

Although you can hardly go wrong with fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and nuts, we encourage mixing in some new foods and keeping meal time interesting. No matter the diet, there are always options out there. The key is diversity!

References:

Gluten Free Lunch Ideas for School (2018). MOMables. Retrieved from https://www.momables.com/7-gluten-free-lunch-ideas-for-school/

Jammet, N. The USDA is lowering nutritional standards for school meals- and undermining the health of millions of kids. World Changing Ideas. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/90373162/the-usda-is-lowering-nutritional-standards-for-school-meals-and-undermining-the-health-of-millions-of-kids