Cheap Eats

Going out for lunch everyday or buying your kids school lunch is a definite budget breaker.  Also, it’s not the healthiest way to go. So here are a few tips to making a quick and healthy lunch for you or your kids.

To start your day, if you need a quick breakfast try a NutriGrain bar, yogurt or some fruit.  McDonalds is not the way to go and skipping breakfast will almost always lead to extra snack purchases during the day. 

I always try to make sure all four food groups are included in lunch.  Bringing sandwiches everyday may get boring, but you can pretty much cover all your bases in a sandwich. Low-fat lunch-meat or tuna, plus cheese and lettuce and you have a square meal. I would probably add some fruit on the side, and maybe some chips or pretzels.  Wraps are pretty easy too. I like to make mine with a spinach wrap, then add turkey, ranch and some pre-made coleslaw mix.  Get creative!

Kids love Lunchables, but they are are not a good idea!  Not only are they not budget friendly, but they are not heart friendly either.  It only takes a few minutes to put together cheese and crackers with fruit or carrot and celery sticks. And that’s going to cost you maybe $1 instead of $3.  Add a 100% juice box and that is a lunch you can feel good about giving your kid.

Of course, the occasional lunch out with co-workers or the Friday pizza at school is a fun necessity. But the money you will save and the nutrients you will gain by mostly bringing your own lunch is well worth the extra 15 minutes of your day it may take to make!

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