Lunch Ideas for Kids With Peanut Butter and Apples

Peanut butter and apples provide protein, vitamins and minerals.

Kids are very particular about what they eat for lunch one day and then eat everything in sight the next day. The solution is to have healthy foods, such as peanut butter and apples, readily available. Let the kids choose what they eat from an assortment of healthy meal plans and then have them assist in the meal's preparation. Peanut butter and apples are paired in numerous ways to combine into full, delicious lunches.

Peanut Butter Apple Dip

Cut fresh crisp apple wedges and plunge them into peanut butter dip that is nutritious, tasty and filling. Make the peanut butter dip by combining peanut butter with applesauce, fat-free cream cheese and honey. Blend the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy. Place the bowl of dip in the center of a large plate and surround it with apple wedges for a light and nutritious lunch.

Peanut Butter and Apple Slice Sandwich

Spread a thick layer of peanut butter onto a slice of whole grain bread. Spread the other slice with low-fat cream cheese. Slice an apple approximately 1/8-inch thick and layer the slices onto the bread spread with peanut butter and cover it with the bread layered with cream cheese. Cut the sandwich in half and serve it with chilled low-fat milk for a healthy and tasty lunch.

Peanut Butter and Apple Roll-up

Place flatbread on the cutting board and spread 3/4 of the surface with peanut butter. Dice an apple into small pieces and distribute them over the peanut butter; sprinkle with cinnamon. Start on the side of the flatbread where the peanut butter is spread to the edge and roll it tightly toward the area without peanut butter. As the flatbread is rolled it will push the peanut butter and apples over the uncovered portion. The peanut butter seals the bread like a jellyroll. Slice the roll into 1-inch thick slices.

Peanut Butter Apple Smoothie

A delicious peanut butter and apple smoothie is a full lunch by itself and is a treat for hot summer days. Make the smoothie by combining peanut butter, chunky applesauce, apple juice, fat-free cream cheese, honey and cinnamon together in the blender. Make certain the peanut butter, applesauce and cream cheese are thoroughly chilled before making the smoothie. Blend the ingredients together and use the apple juice and apple sauce to develop the desired consistency.

References

• Pennsylvania Pathways: Nuts About Peanut Butter
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Packing Lunches for School-Age Kids