Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. She earned her Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee and has a research background in maternal and child health nutrition and public health, as well as a Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.
A Week of Healthy, Easy School Lunches
3 min read

Afterschool snack ideas
- Apple slices and nut butter
- Unsalted trail mix
- Smoothies are a great way to incorporate calcium, fruits and veggies
- Fruit and yogurt
- Whole wheat toast with nut butter and bananas
- Hummus and veggies
- Veggie and hummus pinwheels
Quick, easy and nutritionally balanced school lunches
- Healthier “Lunchable” – English muffin pizzas with marinara, veggies, cheese and a side fruit + milk.
- Taco Tuesday – Two-ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken with veggies, cheese and street tacos and a side fruit + milk.
- Mediterranean Wrap – Whole wheat pita with grilled chicken and veggies and a side fruit + milk.
- Stuffed Cucumber Bites – Cucumbers filled with tuna salad or flavored tuna packs with pasta salad and fruit skewers + milk.
- Mexican Pinwheels – A vegetarian wrap filled with veggies and black beans with a side salsa for dip. Served with mixed fruit + milk.

- Toasted whole wheat English muffin
- Marinara sauce
- Low-sodium turkey pepperoni
- Cheese
- Side fruit
- Side milk

- 2-ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken (chicken breast, can of salsa cooked on low for 4 hours)
- Veggies
- Cheese
- Street tacos
- Side fruit
- Side milk

- Whole wheat pita bread
- Grilled chicken
- Veggies
- Hummus
- Side fruit
- Side of milk

- Tortilla wrap with corn, diced tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, cheese, black beans
- Salsa for dipping
- Mixed fruit
- Side milk

- Cucumbers with tuna salad or flavored tuna packet
- Pasta salad
- Fruit Kabobs
- Side milk