Healthy Sandwiches
Healthy Sandwiches Are A Cinch To Make
Creating healthy sandwiches for the lunch box or the kitchen table doesn't take rocket science. It really boils down to selecting among the many healthy foods we eat as a matter of course, and finding interesting combinations that will taste good in a sandwich. Unless your sandwiches consist of two slices of white bread with a processed food item of one kind or another stuck in between, the chances are at least fair that your sandwiches are reasonably healthy to start with.
Whole wheat bread isn't a strict requirement, but it's a good start. When using whole wheat bread it's rather hard not to make healthy sandwiches unless your fillings are lard or bacon. A peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread is as healthy as you can get, assuming there's not a peanut allergy issue, and most kids seldom get tired of peanut butter, sometimes seeming to believe that all sandwiches are made with peanut butter. Peanut butter and jelly isn't bad either in spite of the fact when you're talking about jelly or jam, you're talking about sugar. Still, even the die-hard peanut butter fan will usually like a little variety now and then.
A Picture Of Health - When you envision healthy sandwiches you most likely see something cool, thick, with lots of meat or poultry, and lots of veggies. Sandwiches are one way for disposing of leftover roast beef, ham, or chicken, and these choices are usually much healthier than relying upon sliced processed meat. Save the salami or sausage for occasional variety, and stick with leftovers for most of your luncheon sandwiches.
If a low fat sandwich is the goal and you don't want a sandwich consisting solely of bread and vegetables, consider chicken, salmon, tuna, or turkey. Roast beef isn't all that fattening either, as long as it's lean meat and the slices aren't to thick. You can gorge on chicken, turkey and fish without worrying about calories or ounces.
Push The Envelope - You don't have to limit yourself to conventional sandwich bread slices. Give pita pockets or sandwich wraps a try. Both allow you to make some very creative sandwiches without loosing half the ingredients when the sandwich is picket up. Think of all the different ingredients that can be packed into a burrito and you'll get an idea of all the healthy things you can stuff into a wrap. It's difficult to put salsa, sauces, and chopped or shredded vegetables in between two slices of bread and keep it all held together. A wrap or a pita pocket makes it easy.
If the ingredients are set out beforehand, both kids and grownups will usually enjoy making their own wholesome creations. If the ingredients are nutritious, the sandwiches can't help but be.
A Small Step Forward - We all understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, which of course includes a healthy and well balanced diet. Moving over from bad habits of the past can be difficult, especially when attempting to climb on the health bandwagon all at once. It's sometimes better to go a step at a time. Why not make one of those steps a habit of making healthy sandwiches on a regular basis? It's not that hard to do, and can quickly become a good habit that most will be reluctant to discard. You can be as fancy as you want, or as simple as you want. If you like hard tack and Brie cheese, that's about as simple as you can get, but it makes for a healthy, tasty, and filling snack, and it's low in calories. Simple can easily become boring however, peanut butter being one exception. Eating healthy and preparing a healthy lunch needn't be a chore, it should be a pleasure. Just remember to start off each day with a good breakfast. Then turn your attention to a healthy lunch.