Instead of throwing a deep dish pepperoni fat-bomb box into your child's backpack, boost the nutritional value of a make-your-own mini pizza lunch:
Whole Grain Crust: Start with one whole grain English muffin or two whole grain mini pitas, for 4 grams of filling fiber (25 percent of the daily recommended dose) and minerals, including iron and potassium.
Tomato Sauce: Pack 1/4 to 1/2 cup of a veggie-based tomato sauce for vitamins C and A.
Cheese: Add one ounce part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese.
Toppings: Then let your kid get creative with his favorite toppings by choosing a veggie (try spinach, red bell pepper slices or mushrooms), a protein (try leftover, pre-cooked turkey meatballs) and a fun topping (pineapple chunks, black olives, even pickles!) to make faces or designs — and then devour.
By Elizabeth Carey. Published October 1, 2012. Elizabeth Carey is a Denver, CO-based writer and editor. She fuses a passion for journalism with health, fitness and outdoor activity.
