Healthy school lunch ideas

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Diet plays an important role in developing young minds. When packing lunches for school, quality should come over convenience. According to the National Retail Federation, parent spending on back-to-school this year is projected to be down nearly 7 percent from last year.

But trimming costs doesn't have to impact solid nutrition choices for the lunchbox! Make sure students get enough protein, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, and a little something sweet too!

To show us a few healthy ideas for school lunches, Registered Dietitian Sylvia Klinger visited ABC7.

LINKS

http://www.hispanicnutrition.com/hispanic-nutrition-blog/

http://www.getrealaboutseafood.com/

RECIPES:

Tuna and tomato salad

Ingredients:

1 can tuna fish, packed in water

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise

1 cup red/orange tomatoes, sliced in half

Preparation:

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients together. Refrigerate and serve a scoop of tuna salad over a Romaine lettuce leaf.

Tomato and cheese kabobs

Ingredients:

5 mini skewers

15 orange/red grape tomatoes

10 basil leaves

10-15 bite-sized pieces fresh mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

Alternate three tomatoes with a basil leaf and a couple pieces of cheese, per skewer.

Snack mix

Ingredients:

1/2 cup raw whole almonds

1/2 cup dried cherries

1/2 cup raw peanuts

1/2 cup raw walnuts

1/2 cup dried black raisins

2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients together in a medium size bowl.