Brown baggin’ it

Bringing along lunches is a great way to cut down on lunch costs. Here are some tips to make them a little healthier and all around better.

For me, lunch is the meal that I'm always rushing to fit in between work, classes and errands, and I often end up grabbing something quickly—and it's normally not the healthiest meal of the day. I've realized recently that in order to keep my bank account from screaming at me, I need to start packing my own the night before. (Mornings are already too difficult for me as it is.)

Sandwiches are quick and easy for making lunches the night before or in the morning, but the same sandwich every day can be boring and you can miss the opportunity to expand your child’s palate. The American Heart Association suggests switching the bread around. One hundred percent whole grain—be it pita pockets or tortilla wraps—can really help add some variety to the typical brown bag lunch and increase the healthfulness, too. And for those with more picky palettes, maybe just switching to 100 percent whole wheat bread—they make some that looks like white bread and is nutritionally similar to the standard whole wheat bread, according to the Mayo Clinic. Grilled chicken leftover from last night’s dinner can also be a great, lean substitute in the lunchbox, too. And make sure to keep some low sodium, low fat cheeses in your refrigerator to throw onto those sandwiches. Buying store brand is a good way to cut down on cost here.

One thing I often forget is that drinks have calories that count, too. Sodas, other sweetened drinks and many juice drinks are packed with calories. Water, milk and fruit juices that are truly juice—100 percent, that is—are better choices when throwing together lunches. Just make sure to drink 100 percent juices in moderation.

Speaking of fruit, including the whole fruit instead of the juice is the better option, but you can fit your lunch—or your child’s—to your own preferences. The whole fruit has not only the minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants that the 100 percent fruit juice contains, but also fiber to keep everything going regularly and help to make you feel full. To get all of the various benefits of the fruit, eat a variety of different kinds.

A Thermos is a great investment for lunchtime grubbing, too, according to the American Heart Association. Some of their suggestions for meals to keep warm in your Thermos until lunchtime comes around are low sodium soups, chili with lean meat or whole wheat spaghetti with low sodium tomato sauce. All of these options are great for dinners, too, so you can get two meals out of one bout in the kitchen.