acfbanner
 
 
 
 
 
Skip Navigation
 
 
Tips for Lunch and Dinner
 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their Fruits and Veggies Matter campaign offer healthy lunch and dinner options and recipes.  Nutritionists, Health Managers, and Consultants working with Head Start and other child care programs may use this information to educate staff and parents of the variety of foods for the children and families

Tips for Lunch and Dinner

  • Place a box of raisins in your child's backpack and pack one for yourself, too.
  • Ask for more vegetable toppings (like mushrooms, peppers, and onions) and less cheese on your pizza.
  • Add some cooked dry beans to your salad. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, add chopped apples, pears, or raisins.
  • Add broccoli, green beans, corn, or peas to a casserole or pasta.
  • Have soup. You can stick with the basics like tomato or vegetable soup or mix up some minestrone or veggie chili to cut winter's chill. When possible, choose soups with less sodium.




    Bowl of soup


  • Add lettuce, tomato, onion, and cucumber to sandwiches.
  • Order salads, vegetable soups, or stir-fried vegetables when eating out
  • Choose beans, corn on the cob, or a side salad with low-calorie salad dressing instead of French fries.
  • Try eating at least 2 vegetables with dinner.

    plate of fish and vegestables

   

Very Vegetable Lasagna

Take your favorite lasagna recipe and try adding different combinations of your favorite vegetables between the layers: mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, onions, or eggplant. Be creative.

Vegetable Primavera


1. Choose a combination of different vegetables, such as mushrooms, tomatoes, cauliflower, and bell peppers. Chop the vegetables into bite-size pieces.
2. Sauté in a skillet with a small amount of cooking oil or non-stick cooking spray until the vegetables are tender, but still crisp.
3. Toss with your favorite pasta and add garlic and basil to taste.
4. Top with low-fat or fat-free parmesan cheese.

Go to top


Tips for Lunch and Dinner. Fruits and Veggie Matters. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. n.d. English.