Back-to-school mornings are already chaotic enough without having to rethink everything you normally put in your child’s lunchbox.
The current U.S. Cyclospora outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce. The FDA has advised families not to eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, including certain Marketside iceberg salad and shredded lettuce products. Some lettuce supplied to restaurants and food-service businesses is also included in the recall. The investigation is still ongoing, so it is important to continue checking current recall information.
Thankfully, skipping iceberg lettuce does not mean packing dry sandwiches or sending the same boring snacks every day. These simple lunch ideas are filling, practical and easy to prepare on a busy school morning.
1. Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels
Spread a little cream cheese or mayonnaise onto a flour tortilla. Add sliced turkey and cheese, roll it tightly and cut it into small pinwheels.
Pack it with:
- Pretzels or whole-grain crackers
- Applesauce
- A yogurt pouch
This is an easy replacement for a turkey sandwich normally packed with lettuce.
2. Chicken and Rice Thermos Bowl
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Use leftover rice and cooked chicken to create a warm and filling school lunch. Add cooked corn, carrots or peas for a little extra color and nutrition.
Warm the food before placing it inside a preheated insulated food container. This is a good choice for children who prefer a proper meal instead of sandwiches.
3. Mini Cheese and Chicken Quesadillas
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Fill a tortilla with shredded cheese and cooked chicken, fold it in half and toast it lightly in a pan. Cut it into triangles that are easy for little hands to hold.
Add a small container of plain yogurt for dipping, along with a fruit cup or banana.
Black beans can also be used instead of chicken for a meat-free version.
4. Peanut Butter and Banana Roll-Up
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Spread peanut butter onto a tortilla, place a peeled banana in the middle and roll it up. Slice it into smaller pieces or leave it whole.
Use sunflower seed butter when sending lunch to a nut-free school.
Pack it with crackers, yogurt or a cheese stick to make the meal more filling.
5. Chicken Pasta Salad Without Lettuce
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Mix cooked pasta with diced chicken, cheese cubes and cooked peas. Add a small amount of your child’s favorite dressing.
You can prepare this the night before and keep it refrigerated until morning. It gives children a balanced mixture of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables without needing any raw leafy greens.
6. Breakfast-for-Lunch Box
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Breakfast foods can make school lunch feel a little more exciting.
Try packing:
- Mini waffles or pancakes
- A hard-boiled egg
- Yogurt
- Applesauce or a sealed fruit cup
A small container of maple syrup can be included for dipping, but you may want to skip it if your child tends to return home wearing half of their lunch.
7. Homemade Snack Box
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Create a simple homemade version of the snack boxes children love.
Include small portions of:
- Crackers
- Sliced turkey
- Cheese cubes
- A fruit pouch
- A small treat
This is especially helpful for children who prefer eating several small foods instead of one large sandwich.
8. Mini Pizza Muffins
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Top English muffin halves with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and turkey pepperoni. Bake until the cheese melts, then allow them to cool before packing.
Serve them with a fruit cup, applesauce or cooked vegetables. They can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator for a quick grab-and-pack lunch.
A Few Lunchbox Safety Reminders
Throw away any recalled iceberg lettuce and wash containers, refrigerator shelves or kitchen surfaces that may have touched it. The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, although washing alone cannot guarantee that Cyclospora will be removed. Cooking produce to at least 158°F can kill the parasite.
Cold meats, yogurt, eggs and other perishable foods should be packed in an insulated lunch bag with at least two cold sources, such as frozen gel packs, a frozen water bottle or a frozen juice box. Hot meals should be placed in a properly heated insulated container.
Final Thoughts
There is no need to completely change your child’s lunch routine because iceberg lettuce has been recalled. Start with foods your child already enjoys, remove the lettuce and replace it with a filling side such as yogurt, cheese, cooked vegetables, applesauce or a fruit cup.
The goal is not to create a picture-perfect lunchbox. It is to send something safe, filling and realistic enough to prepare before the school-day rush begins.
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