Best sandwiches for whole-wheat bread

When you’re trying to get more whole grains into your kids’ diets, the key is providing tasty options they’ll love. If your kids are used to ham on white, they’ll flip for these yummy whole-wheat bread options.

Peanut butter, butter & brown sugar

Jelly holds up just fine on almost any bread, but if you’re switching to whole wheat, give the kids something a little different to avoid a direct comparison. Skip the jelly and use a thin layer of butter (yogurt-based butter is the best) or margarine; add a thin layer of peanut butter, too. Then, sprinkle on just enough brown sugar to sweeten the deal. The butter will negate a little of the peanut butter’s stickiness, and the brown sugar will complement the flavors in the whole-wheat bread.

Chicken Philly on whole wheat

The next time you make fajitas for dinner, grill up some extra bell peppers and onions, adding chicken (or turkey) deli meat about halfway through. Cook until the veggies are softened and the meat is slightly browned. For lunches, serve on toasted whole-wheat bread with a smattering of cheese sauce (or slices). The kids can eat these without heating them up, but if your child’s school has a microwave, all the better.

Kid-friendly beef on ‘Weck

This sandwich is as fun to eat as it is to say. Traditionally served on a kummelweck roll (toasted with caraway seeds), these sandwiches can be a kid’s delight and a mom’s secret weapon when served on whole wheat. Pack a plain whole-wheat bread (or toast) sandwich piled high with thinly cut roast beef. Then, pack your kid’s favorite add-ons. This sandwich is traditionally served with horseradish, a dill pickle spear and fries, but it’s easy to make this sandwich kid- (and nutrition-) friendly. If your child, like many others, doesn’t like horseradish, mix plain yellow mustard with ketchup as an alternative. Instead of fries, pack homemade sweet potato chips. Keep the tradition alive by including a dill pickle in a snack bag.

Club finger sandwiches

This one’s a little more work but well worth it on occasion. Make a regular sandwich on whole-wheat toast with turkey, bacon, tomato, lettuce and mayo. Cut each sandwich into four triangles. Your little ones will delight in the miniature sammies. For kids who are old enough, stack one sandwich quarter on another and pin together with a toothpick or cocktail sword.

More back-to-school food ideas

Best after-school snacks for busy families
Ways to keep kids full longer
5 Tips to get kids cookin’ in the kitchen