Nutrition is more important than ever when kids are heading off to school. You want the kids to be able to concentrate, right?
These healthy back to school recipes are perfect for breakfast, lunch or an after school snack. And they're full of vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber to keep them going strong all day long.
But you don't have to tell the kids that these meals are healthy. All they will need to know is that they taste great!
See also: 10 Healthy Snack Recipes for Kids.
Whole grain, high-fiber waffles are the secret ingredient that makes these tasty waffle sandwiches so healthy. The sweetened cream cheese topping combined with fresh blueberries makes this recipe taste a bit like a blueberry Danish. These are great for breakfast or an after school snack.More »
There is no warmer feeling than waking up to a hot, soothing bowl of oatmeal. And because you dump the ingredients for this recipe in the slow cooker at night, you can enjoy that warmth as soon as you get up -- no cooking in the morning required!More »
Blueberries are loaded with healthy antioxidants and they provide the dominant flavor in these smoothies. But the additional ingredients -- frozen pineapple, pineapple juice and lemon yogurt add more layers of fruity flavor and good-for-you vitamins and minerals.More »
These wraps taste as good as any you would find in a gourmet sandwich shop. Use whole wheat tortillas to give these wraps a bit of extra fiber. Worried about the bacon in these wraps? You can leave it out, use a turkey bacon or an organic nitrate-free pork bacon.More »
This recipe couldn't be any simpler, and kids absolutely love these grapes. They take on an ice texture, almost like eating a sorbet or Italian ice. And the nice part is you can make a big batch and enjoy them all week long without worrying about the grapes going bad!More »
Tuna fish is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. I like to buy a low mercury tuna fish, such as Wild Planet tuna (compare prices). It costs a bit more, but I think it's worth it. Chopped red onions and carrots add color and extra nutrition to this recipe. And the best part is you can make this tuna pasta salad in advance.More »
This simple Greek salad makes a nice change from traditional lunch box fare. Serve with hummus and carrot sticks for a well-balanced vegetarian meal the kids will love.More »
I never thought my kids would go for these sandwiches, but they loved them. I think it was because the first time I made them, I did the cutout hearts in the bread. And I told them they were like tea sandwiches that ladies ate when they went to high tea. It worked!More »
Protein-rich peanut butter and brown rice syrup give these rice crispy treats a more nutritious profile than the classic recipe made with marshmallows, and these treats are every bit as tasty as the original. You can even use brown crispy rice cereal for a bit of extra fiber.More »
These healthy back to school recipes are perfect for breakfast, lunch or an after school snack. And they're full of vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber to keep them going strong all day long.
But you don't have to tell the kids that these meals are healthy. All they will need to know is that they taste great!
See also: 10 Healthy Snack Recipes for Kids.
1. Blueberry Cream Cheese Waffle Sandwiches
Whole grain, high-fiber waffles are the secret ingredient that makes these tasty waffle sandwiches so healthy. The sweetened cream cheese topping combined with fresh blueberries makes this recipe taste a bit like a blueberry Danish. These are great for breakfast or an after school snack.More »
2. Crockpot Oatmeal with Apples and Honey
There is no warmer feeling than waking up to a hot, soothing bowl of oatmeal. And because you dump the ingredients for this recipe in the slow cooker at night, you can enjoy that warmth as soon as you get up -- no cooking in the morning required!More »
3. Blueberry Fruit Smoothies
Blueberries are loaded with healthy antioxidants and they provide the dominant flavor in these smoothies. But the additional ingredients -- frozen pineapple, pineapple juice and lemon yogurt add more layers of fruity flavor and good-for-you vitamins and minerals.More »
4. Turkey Wraps with Bacon and Apricot Jam
These wraps taste as good as any you would find in a gourmet sandwich shop. Use whole wheat tortillas to give these wraps a bit of extra fiber. Worried about the bacon in these wraps? You can leave it out, use a turkey bacon or an organic nitrate-free pork bacon.More »
5. Frozen Grapes
This recipe couldn't be any simpler, and kids absolutely love these grapes. They take on an ice texture, almost like eating a sorbet or Italian ice. And the nice part is you can make a big batch and enjoy them all week long without worrying about the grapes going bad!More »
6. Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe
Tuna fish is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. I like to buy a low mercury tuna fish, such as Wild Planet tuna (compare prices). It costs a bit more, but I think it's worth it. Chopped red onions and carrots add color and extra nutrition to this recipe. And the best part is you can make this tuna pasta salad in advance.More »
7. Chopped Greek Salad Recipe
This simple Greek salad makes a nice change from traditional lunch box fare. Serve with hummus and carrot sticks for a well-balanced vegetarian meal the kids will love.More »
8. Cucumber Sandwiches
I never thought my kids would go for these sandwiches, but they loved them. I think it was because the first time I made them, I did the cutout hearts in the bread. And I told them they were like tea sandwiches that ladies ate when they went to high tea. It worked!More »
9. Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
Protein-rich peanut butter and brown rice syrup give these rice crispy treats a more nutritious profile than the classic recipe made with marshmallows, and these treats are every bit as tasty as the original. You can even use brown crispy rice cereal for a bit of extra fiber.More »