I like to follow a few basic rules when it comes to making healthy sandwiches for kids.
Rule 1: Make sure the bread you use contains whole grains, oats, and healthy seeds. The bread itself can pack a huge punch of nutrients these days, from fiber, vitamins, to protein and even omega-3 fatty acids. I love Dave’s Killer Bread Good Seed. It contains, whole wheat, flax seed, sesame, oats and uses organic Non-GMO ingredients.
Rule 2: Always use organic and nitrate free cold cuts. These days you can find turkey, ham, even hot dogs without nitrates, so be sure read the labels carefully before selecting.
Rule 3: Always find ways to sneak in veggies into savory sandwiches and fresh fruit into sandwiches that are sweet.
Rule 4: Pick healthy condiments by going organic, low sugar, or uses healthy fats. For example, mayo that is made with avocado oil is awesome, peanut butter that doesn’t contain sugar is great too!
Rule 5: Be creative and don’t be afraid to try more adult like combos, have fun with fancier cheeses and spreads. Or go international, think different flavor profiles to make it different.
Tea Party Turkey Sammies
Ingredients
- 2 slices of Organic turkey deli meat
- 1/4 cup of thinly sliced cucumbers
- Boursin Cheese with fine herbs
- 2 slices of whole wheat bread
Method:
- Spread Boursin cheese with fine herbs on each slice of bread and layer your turkey and then cucumber.
- Trim the crust off and quarter sandwich into 4 pieces.
- Stick cute skewers in each sandwich and pack
Harvest Tuna Sandwiches
Ingredients
- ½ cup canned tuna
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
- ¼ cup finely minced celery
- 1 tablespoon avocado mayo
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Season with salt and pepper
- Juice of a wedge of lemon
- 1 whole wheat pita
Method:
- Mix your tuna salad and pack into a container
- Serve the tuna salad with a piece of whole wheat pita.
- Let your kiddo fill up the whole pita with tuna salad (this ensures a perfect sandwich that isn’t soggy)
Silly Dilly Banana Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices of dill Havarti
- ½ of a whole banana (sliced thinly)
- 1 small handful of baby spinach
- 2 slices of whole wheat bread
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
Method:
- Spread avocado oil on both slices of bread
- Place one slice of cheese on bread
- Layer spinach on top of the cheese
- Top with sliced bananas
- Place another slice of cheese
- Cover with the second slice of bread. Oiled side facing out
- Place on a hot pan and grill until toasty on both sides (press down while you toast)
- One it’s nicely toasted on both sides and the cheese is melted, wrap your grilled cheese in foil so it stays warm.
Do Re Mi Banh Mi
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of leftover roasted chicken meat (shredded)
- ¼ cup of shredded carrots and cabbage
- 1 crusty roll or small baguette (lengthwise)
- 1 tablespoon avocado mayo
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Juice of 1 wedge of lemon
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
Method:
- Mix chicken with carrots, cabbage, mayo, honey, lemon juice, soy, and chia seeds
- Fill the baguette with the chicken salad
- Wrap up in butcher paper and tape to close with a fun sticker or add a few more to the butcher paper to give it a fun look
PBJ with a Twist
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoon Acai Berry Jam (Navitas makes a great one) -low in sugar and high in antioxidants
- 2 teaspoon almond butter (no sugar added)
- ¼ cup of thinly sliced apples
- 2 slices of whole wheat bread
Method:
- Spread the jam on one side and the almond butter on the other
- Layer apples and cover with the other side of the bread