Packing Pita Pockets

February 15, 2011
Denise Smith

Pocket

When it comes to making school lunches, I try to incorporate a variety of whole grains in my kids’ sandwiches. But the kids tell me that whole grain sandwich bread gets a little boring day after day, so I try to liven up their lunches by using other types of bread such as pita pockets. Pita bread is easy to eat, easy to stuff and, because it’s thin, easy to pack.

Filling the pita is simple. Our favourites include egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, scrambled eggs and cheese, chicken Caesar salad, almond butter and banana slices, veggies and hummus, pizza pockets, Greek salad and shaved turkey and shredded cheese. The possibilities are endless….be creative!
Today I made tuna pockets and the lunch containers all came back empty—always a good sign.

Tuna Pita Pockets
Serves 4 kids

You’ll Need

• 2 cans flaked white tuna, in water
• 1 celery stalk, chopped small
• 2 Tbsp low-fat mayonnaise
• Squeeze of lemon
• Handful of mixed greens
• Chopped cucumber or tomato
• Whole wheat pita bread (we like the minis)

Prep and Cook

1. Drain tuna and flake with a fork in a small mixing bowl.
2. Stir in celery, mayonnaise and lemon juice.
3. Cut pita in half and stuff each of the halves with tuna filling, mixed greens and vegetables.
4. Pack the tuna pocket in a sandwich box or other reusable container, along with a small lunchbox-sized ice pack. Serve pita with cut raw vegetables and fruit.

If you are looking for other ideas or tips for packing lunches, here are a few other great lunch-packing resources.

• Lunch Bag Essentials Guide
• Backpack and Lunch Bag Guide
• Keeping Lunches Cool
• School Lunch Tips

What are you packing for lunch today?