Getting Rid of the Processed Deli Meats

Trader Joes and Whole Foods both have multiple lunchmeat options that are not processed and contain no nitrates.

Banana and peanut butter, egg salad sandwich, tuna fish sandwich, BLT, cheese sandwiches. Processed deli meats are so bad for you, and you've just motivated me to eliminate them, as well! I bet if you google it, you could probably come up with some good ideas from others, as well! Good luck!

Would it be a viable option to make your own deli meats? I like to make a roast, ham or turkey breast and slice it as thin as I can for sandwiches using an electric knife - one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. I keep some meat out to use immediately and freeze the rest. I don't get it as thin as as the deli does, but it works for us. If you are able to purchase a slicer you might be able to get thinner.

When I was pregnant and not allowed to eat deli meats I used to get veggie sandwiches from a local sandwich shop - lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, peppers, dressing on a wheat roll. It was really good.

Make your own version of "lunchables"

Pizza

Cream cheese on bagels/toasts with chopped veggies

Salad

Egg salad

Make your own chicken nuggets

Good suggestions, here. I have heard that the Boars Head brand deli meats are much healthier than others for the times that you need to use lunch meats.

My daughter won't eat peanut butter (or jelly, for that matter)...or even a sandwich now that I think of it. I try to stay away from too many deli meats as well (although I sent salami and pepperoni with her this morning!) I generaly like to roast a chicken or cook some other kind of meat for her lunches. These can be sliced thinly for sandwiches or cut into chunks for other things. These are some of the things that seem to go over well with my daughter:

I make little "kabobs" on toothpicks with cubes of roasted chicken, pork or turkey, cheese, vegetables, etc. She really likes chicken and pineapple chunk kabobs. I usually give her a little thermos bowl of rice with these.

I also slice grilled chicken breast into "strips" and give her some ketchup to dip them in, or I stuff the chicken slices into a whole-wheat pita.

Sometimes I just give her a hamburger patty in her thermos bowl with ketchup (lazy, I know). My daughter won't eat an actual hamburger, but she'll eat the individual parts of a burger separately. Maybe just send hamburger parts and let them make their own burger? I don't even know how warm the thermos bowl keeps the food until lunchtime (my daughter is four and doesn't care about food temperature!)

Good luck!

My 2 yr old LOVES veggie ham and turkey- they do taste different but when you add some cheese and mayo, you can't even tell....don't know how old your kids are but its worth a try and full of protien! You can find them at Whole Foods and Central Market

You can make your own from turkey breast, pork roast or roast beef. Just cook it to your liking and cut the leftovers in thin slices.
Instead of meat you can also just make cheese sandwiches with some lettuce, tomato etc. on it. Or fill whole wheat pita pockets with your kids' favorite salad.

I have a small thermos that holds just enough soup for my son. I send small salads with chicken. I also send tuna fish. Chicken Salad. He like a veggie sandwich. BorsHead luncheon meet such as turkey and Chicken are great. I put lettice and tomato on his sandwiches. Sometimes I have sent in a slice or two of whole grain pizza. I have even sent in cereal. I always add a fruit to his lunch. See what she likes and send it on in!

D.

cheese, lettuce and tomato, cheese and cucumber, try different kinds of jam with the PB&J, also almond and other nut butters. Sometimes we do wraps instead of sandwiches. If you have meat for dinner like chicken, you can slice some of the leftovers and put shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomato into a wrap with a touch of salad dressing. Baked seasoned tofu (either purchased that way or bake it yourself) is really good that way too. Also peanut butter and apple is good, ants on a log (PB and celery with rasins) etc.

Why not cook up a chicken breast and slice it thin for sandwiches?

Egg salad is a favorite here. I also make a lot of home made soups and mac and cheese with groundbeef and peas.