It can be difficult to get creative when packing your child’s school lunch every morning.  Even moreso, when you have to avoid certain foods and ingredients.  Not only do you want to make sure your children are getting the nutrition they need while avoiding the foods they’re sensitive to but you also want to make sure they don’t feel out of place at the lunch table with odd or bland foods.  So, what do you pack to make sure they’re happy with what they’re eating while still getting the nourishment they need?

As part of the Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods Back to School Lunch Challenge, I’ve come up with a one-week menu full ideas for you and your family to have fun, healthy, gluten-free lunches.  Udi’s offers a variety of delicious gluten-free breads, cookies, granola, snacks, pizza and more and so being gluten-free isn’t nearly as difficult as you may have thought – and you don’t have to sacrifice taste when you’re using Udi’s!

I received several items from Udi’s to help with this “challenge”.  I received an insulated Udi’s lunch bag, a loaf of Millet-Chia bread, a loaf of White Sandwich bread, Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels Twists (my favorite from the pack!!), Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snickerdoodle Cookies and Au Naturel Granola.  The pretzels really were my favorite item from the pack and I fully intend on buying more as soon as possible!  They are from Udi’s new parent company, Glutiono, and they make a great snack to keep on hand, not just for lunches, but for car rides and movie munching as well.  The chocolate chip cookies were probably my second favorite – soft and delicious!  But, even the bread tastes like “regular” bread.  You would never guess it’s gluten-free!

Day 1
Peanut butter & jelly on Millet-Chia bread
Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzel Twists
Apple slices

Day 2
Turkey, cheese and avocado slices on Millet-Chia bread
Yogurt topped with Udi’s Granola
Spinach salad with strawberries

Day 3
BLT on Udi’s White Sandwich Bread (can pack the ingredients separately to be assembled at school so the tomato doesn’t make the bread soggy)
Grapes
Udi’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Day 4
Grilled Cheese on Udi’s White Sandwich Bread (Yes! This can be made ahead of time.  Just be sure to let it cool before packing it to avoid condensation)
Pickle chips
Banana

Day 5
Tuna Salad on an Udi’s gluten-free bagel with sprouts (using a bagel or hot dog bun as a mini sub is a great way to help make a sandwich seem more fun than just another sandwich!)
Cucumber slices
Udi’s Snickerdoodle Cookies

Be sure to check out http://www.udisglutenfree.com/ for even more great-tasting gluten-free products as well as some recipes and ideas!