Fresh, Tasty - Healthy - Lunch and Snack Ideas

16/10/07 With school schedules now routine and the initial excitement over, lunches will soon be met with "not again" sighs. This might be a good time to re-evaluate menus and discuss healthier choices with the family.

The following are suggestions from the experts at Jarlsberg:

Tweak breakfast, lunch and snacks for greater nutritional impact. Add a handful of trail mix and fresh fruit to yogurt; blend up antioxidant-rich wild berry smoothies with a dash of cinnamon and honey. Low-fat chocolate milk is a guaranteed, calcium-boosting pleaser. Swirl in a cup of applesauce to morning oatmeal.

When possible, buy seasonal, organic or local produce for fresher, flavorful options (buying locally also supports the community economy). Reduce use of chemically preserved meats and cheeses. Choose no-nitrite turkey breast or grill hormone-, antibiotic-free chicken cutlets at home for salads and wraps.

Instead of processed cheese, alternate with all-natural, part-skim milk Jarlsberg or Jarlsberg Lite ... calcium-rich and lower in sodium, too. Combine mustards or low-fat mayo with homemade pestos. These simple to assemble ideas will no doubt win family praise and inspire other creative combinations.

-- Line pita with dark green lettuce and stuff with mixture of diced celery, apple or pear and Jarlsberg. Add a touch of pesto or raspberry vinaigrette.
-- Combine low fat mayo with cranberry sauce; spread on whole wheat Lavash.  Layer with baby arugula or spinach, sliced roasted turkey and Jarlsberg.  Roll up ... serve with grapes or orange slices.
-- Spread low fat Caesar dressing on large tortilla.  Layer with dark leaf lettuce, strips of grilled chicken breast and Jarlsberg.
-- Try this healthy take on a popular, process-cheese-filled snack.  Mix 1/2 cup shredded Jarlsberg Lite with peanut butter.  Use unsalted crackers to "sandwich."  Refrigerate to keep mixture hard.  Serve at room temperature so texture is creamy. For potassium "punch," pair with banana.