What’s functional for students is functional for you.

There’s a lot of talk about functional foods, as students continue to seek dining experiences that go beyond basic nutrition.

Get to the heart of this nuanced food movement and focus on what matters: Fuel to life, fuel to the joy of eating. It can be as simple as trying these fall LTOs that are as practical to serve as they are nourishing and fun to eat.

The Fundamentals of Functional

When you serve functional foods, you’re educating students on the total performance boost of the meal. That boost could be:

• Physical – for the brain and athletic power
• Emotional – for mood and well-being
• Social – for the power of connecting with others over food

And the more we talk with students and foodservice directors across the country, we know that any dish that isn’t accessible to serve and eat isn’t actually functional at all.

As you embrace the macronutrients that fuel students’ entire way of living, look for recipes that are:

• Easy to Grab – portable and practical
  
• Easy to Enjoy – bold new tastes and customization
  
• Easy to Share – safe to eat around nut-allergic friends
  

Ready to start? Here are 10 fall LTOs that raise the enjoyment level along with the performance.

1. Fruitful Parfait

Functional Shoutout: Probiotics, Protein, Phytonutrients, Chia Seeds for Blood Sugar Regulation

Why We Love It: This basic recipe is extremely versatile. Build parfaits in clear to-go cups of any size. The secret is to pack a double-protein, double-creamy punch by layering SunButter® on top of yogurt. Add your choice of granola or chia seeds and fresh superfruits!

Fun Factor: The bright fruit and portable format invite students to dig in, any time of day.

2. Build Your Own Soba Bowls

Functional Shoutout: Complete Plant-Based Protein

Why We Love It: With a full selection of superfood add-ins, you can’t go wrong. Prepare a batch of Sunny Honey Lime Sauce to brighten the soba noodles with the added functional benefits of honey, lime, garlic, and mint.

Fun Factor: The build-your-own format motivates students to eat every bite. The noodles could even become a zombie head for a spooky fall theme.

3. Spiced Up Chocolate Smoothie

Functional Shoutout: Protein, Probiotics

Why We Love It: This crowd-pleasing smoothie recipe is simple to customize with a pleasantly spicy twist. Or add PSL flavors for a winning fall LTO.

Fun Factor: Students love nothing more than something they can sip & go!

4. Spooky Salad Shakers

Functional Shoutout: Fiber, Phytonutrients, Protein

Why We Love It: Start with this favorite salad shaker recipe and mix up the dressing flavor and layers!

Fun Factor: Use SunButter® Green Goddess Dressing for a spooky “monster” LTO.

5. Never-Nutty Chicken Satay

Functional Shoutout: Protein, Vitamin E

Why We Love It: Students can spice up this dish to their preferred level of heat with hot sauce or chile crunch. Pair it with a healthy serving of deep-colored greens. Use this satay sauce recipe for a nut-free boost.

Fun Factor: Chick-on-a-stick brings a little whimsy to a seriously healthy meal.

6. Brighter Acai Bowl

Functional Shoutout: Antioxidants, Healthy Fats

Why We Love It: You can adapt this smoothie-bowl recipe with your choice of superfruits and other toppings like coconut. Make it fully free of the top 9 food allergens for a fully accessible meal!

Fun Factor: Serve in portable containers and go wild with fruit decorations on top.

7. Pizza for Breakfast

Functional Shoutout: Antioxidants, Protein

Why We Love It: This is another super-flexible recipe that you can style to match any seasonal or holiday theme.

Fun Factor: Pizza is always popular, including this superfood version that’s fit for breakfast.

8. Vampire Soup

Functional Shoutout: Protein, Phytonutrients

Why We Love It: This Red Curry Coconut Soup is heartwarming, on-trend, and ready to embrace a festive fall menu theme.

Fun Factor: Serve with bread and roasted garlic spread – vampires don’t know what they’re missing!

9. Overnight-Good Morning Oats

Functional Shoutout: Bananas for Mood Stability, Oats for Sustained Energy, Sunflower Seeds for Muscle & Nerve Function, Milk for Muscle Growth and Repair

Why We Love It: This breakfast staple recipe can brighten any student’s day with a rotating selection of fruits and seeds.

Fun Factor: Add a chocolate SunButter® drizzle for a nutritious treat!

10: Hug in a Bowl: Chocolate Shiitake Beef Stew

Functional Shoutout: Protein, Antioxidants, Immune Support

Why We Love It: The blend of functional ingredients in this stew lends not only nutritional benefits, but unexpected richness.

Fun Factor: Serve in a bread bowl or even in a cooked, carved pumpkin.

Wanna know the real nutritional knockout that gives these LTOs their power?
The Super Sunflower Seed!

Sunflower seeds are a nutrient-rich source of vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese.

SunButter® sunflower seed butter contains more vitamins and minerals than most nut butters. It puts the triple power of protein, fiber, and healthy fats packed into every sunflower seed to work to support your students’ good health.

Plus:

• One-third less saturated fat than most peanut butter
• The same amount of protein and more vitamin E when compared to leading brands of peanut and tree nut spreads
• High in iron, phosphorus, and zinc

Note: Nutrition statements are examples only, not actual health claims