Healthy Lunch Box and Snack Ideas
My kids have decided that school food is, for the most part, no good, so I have the task of packing three different lunches every morning. In addition, I can’t pack peanut butter for my youngest because of allergies in the classroom, my middle child doesn’t like sandwiches, and my oldest is in middle school so there is the cool factor.
I have this list posted on the inside of my cabinet and when I get the “I don’t know” answer for “What do you want for lunch?”, I have the kids pick off the list.
- Tuna sandwich on whole grain bread
- Egg salad sandwich on whole grain bread
- Smoked or roast turkey breast on whole grain bread
- Lean roast beef on whole grain bread
- Natural peanut butter and all fruit spread on whole grain bread
- Whole wheat pita topped with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese (not the Lunchables)
- Starkist Tuna Kits
- Roll-ups – fill whole wheat flour tortillas with refried beans and shredded cheese; tuna fish; smoked turkey breast with shredded lettuce and cheese; or make your own combinations
- Hot soup in a thermos
- Fresh fruit – apple slices (drizzle with orange juice to keep from turning brown), small bunch of grapes, banana, orange slices, strawberries, blueberries
- Container of unsweetened applesauce
- Container of reduced fat yogurt – stay away from the ones with sprinkles or added toppings
- Fruit roll-ups or fruit leather made with real fruit puree
- Raw carrots, broccoli or cauliflower with ranch dressing
- Mini salads – place cut up romaine or other dark, leafy greens in plastic container with lid. Place croutons in aluminum foil to be added and put salad dressing in small container with lid .
- Celery with peanut butter and raisins
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Raw almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews and peanuts (if there are no peanut allergies in the class)
- Trail mix made of dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries), raw almonds or other nuts, sunflower seeds, mini pretzel rings or sticks, goldfish pretzels, popcorn, etc
- Baked tortilla chips and salsa
- Natural peanut butter on whole grain crackers
This post is making me hungry.
I usually send my kids off to school in the winter with a piping hot thermos of Chili, Soups or Stew. Yummy!! Its fairly easy to do, I just set some aside from our dinners.
Great ideas you have! I totally forgot about thos Starkist Tuna Kits
Thank you for your excellent post.
Our School System in the Lehigh Valley PA doesn’t begin until September 4th, the day after Labor Day. But, I know that once school begins I will be rushing around like a crazy woman every morning trying to get everything done including making all the kids their usual boring lunches.
Thank you so much for offering some solutions to the boring ordinary packed lunch.
Keep up the great work!!
Shana Albert
That is quite a menu that you offer. Will you pack my lunch too?
Actually, the list is a great idea. If the kids pick the lunch then they can’t complain.
I love all of the ideas that you share. I’m going to the grocery store.
MORE TIPS!!!!
Mac & cheese is great in a thermos, also:
-mini ravioli
-spaghettios
-meatballs & noodles
-my kids eat anything with noodles! LOL
I’ve also packed 3 bean salad, it keeps well.
-Pepperoni slices, cheese & crackers
-Mini-marshmallows, chocolate chips, raisins & pretzel sticks for a snack mix
-Don’t forget fluffernutters! I loved those as a kid!
-Hot Mexican 7-layer dip in a thermos, with corn chips
-Mini-subs on hot dog rolls
GOOD LUCK PARENTS! BACK TO THE GRIND!
That orange juice on the apple slices idea is gold. Thanks!
Wow, Char, would you make MY lunch? I’m totally printing this list and sticking it on the fridge so we have no more excuses for unhealthy snacks!
kk
Great list!
Hi, my name is Stephanie and I am the Marketing Assistant at World Gourmet Marketing, Sensible Portions brand. I would like to suggest our Multi Grain Crisps as a healthy snack option for your kid’s lunchbox. Our 100 calorie packs are a single serving size and kids especially love our Cheddar and Apple Cinnamon flavors. Check out our website at http://www.sensibleportions.com for our complete list of products and feel free to email me at sgalliano@wgourmet.com with any further questions!
That’s wonderful! Well don’t stop packing more lunch for your kids. It will make them healthy when they always eat the food that you’ve prepared for them. Try using a stainless steel container, its a best food storage when you want to packed four different menus/snacks for them because, the container from Happy Tiffin, (http://www.happytiffin.com) can help you prepare the food and store it in one single carrier lunch box without needing to mix all the food to fit it all in one plastic ware. The stainless steel container is very reliable and convenient to use. And your kids will surely enjoy the time they’re eating due to that the food can fully give its true juice/taste once it has been chewed and swallowed by your kids. Because sometimes there are circumstances that when you use plastic ware as your container of your packed lunch, when the food is still hot, it will create moist so plastic will emit its plastic odor and taste and the food will absorb it. When we eat it, it taste like plastic. So switch now, try using the stainless steel lunch box, there are many benefits in it.