School Lunch Ideas On A Budget – WRAPS

Wraps are a great alternative to bread when making sandwiches. A basic flour or corn tortilla is going to be your cheapest option usually but there are tons of other choices out there, depending on your dietary needs and budget. Spinach, whole-grain, gluten free, honey-wheat, sundried tomato, high fiber, etc., are among the many varieties available. 

Wrap fillings can be as simple as peanut butter and fresh fruit or jam to any combinations your child likes. The possibilities are endless.

An “Ideal” wrap typically contains…

• Something “sticky” to help hold it together such as mayo or mustard, hummus, cream cheese, nut or seed butter, etc.
• A protein-rich filling like lean deli meats, cheese, chickpeas, tuna/turkey/egg salad, hummus, peanut butter, etc.
• Produce: fruit, leafy greens, avocado, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrot, sliced radishes, etc.

Pricing for wraps will of course depend on your fillings. This is an ideal time to use leftovers!

FOLDING A WRAP –

1. Warm your wrap in a microwave or dry skillet so it’s pliable enough to wrap around fillings without tearing. I typically heat mine in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.
2. Pile a small amount of filling in a line about 1/3 down from the top, leaving space on each side and the top empty.
3. Fold sides in, almost enough to where they touch but with an inch or so between them so some of the filling peeks out.
4. Bring up the bottom flap, keeping the side flaps pulled in and then continue to roll up.
5. Wrap in plastic wrap and keep in fridge until ready to pack in your lunchbox.

Want an even healthier wrap? Try using any leafy green as your base.

Pictured –

1. Simple smashed black beans with cheddar (top with choice of shredded lettuce or carrots, sliced jicama or green onion, chopped radishes or peppers) 
2. Cream cheese, lean ham and spinach 
3. Smashed avocado, sliced cucumbers and shredded carrot

Pictured –

1. Romaine lettuce with mayo and mustard, lean ham, sliced cheddar
2. Peanut butter, sliced banana, dried cranberries

My favorite wrap is currently a flour tortilla filled with hummus, sliced cucumbers and radishes and shredded carrot. Protein, low-calorie, crunchy, cheap…and delicious! 

Using ingredients from Sam’s, this lunch cost $1.70. It consists of a flour tortilla filled with cream cheese, ham, cheddar cheese, and lettuce with celery sticks, blueberries, and popcorn with a few chocolate chips tossed in. 

You can freeze flour and corn tortillas in the original package if you will use the entire package or place a piece of parchment paper between each tortilla and put in a freezer bag, making sure you get as much air out of the bag as possible. Can be frozen for 6 to 8 months. Thaw in fridge for a few hours.