I am always on the lookout for the most nutritious  foods for lunch to put in my kids lunch bags.

I want to cover his requirement that his food be good and mine that it be good and healthy.  To me, healthy means low calorie, nutritious, and full of vitamins and protein that will sustain him throughout the day.  I don’t mean diet low calorie food when I am referring to my growing 7 year old boy.  I mean not laden with fats, sugar and refined carbohydrates that are not good for anyone yet alone a growing child.  I’m searching for the kind of calorie you get from a whole grain.  Slow burning and steady.  Sometimes that is a challenge.  Last year I found myself getting pretty monotonous with his lunches, the same old thing.  This year I intend to be more adventurous.  Baking with whole grain is so  easy and usually tastes better than what you can buy from a store.

I found a recipe using whole wheat flour and dates for the perfect mid-morning, low calorie filling snack.  It’s also great as a low calorie high energy breakfast that’s quick and easy.  That is my new mantra…easy, easy, easy.  I LOVE easy!  I will make this the night before and pack most of my kids lunch bags the night before as a time saver.  My son loves these!  I love these as a low calorie food for myself!  For those Weight Watchers out there this is a filling low point food that is great to carry with you on errands.  Every now and then I throw in some carob chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips as a surprise.

Energy Bars

1/4 c. orange juice

3 Tbsp. honey

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 8-oz. pkg pitted whole dates (snipped)

2 1/2c.white whole wheat flour or whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

2 egg whites

3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with foil and grease.  Combine orange juice, honey and lemon juice; stir in dates.  Combine flour, soda, and baking powder; add remaining ingredients.  Mix until combined.  Stir in date mixture.  Press into pan.

2.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool.  Lift up from foil to remove from the pan.  Cut into bars.    8

9 calories, 1 gram fat, 2 g fiber.  1 point each for Weight Watchers.