As you and your kids gear up for the new school year, you can also take the opportunity to reinvent your lunch routine – after all, the standard PB&J can get old after a while. But where can you find tasty new ideas that are also convenient for mornings and good for your child?
To help you out, we have rounded up some of the best healthy lunch ideas that your youngsters are sure to love. Plus, they’re easy enough that the kids can help you prepare them!
- The Cafeteria Club – This easy lunch has all of the components of your standard sandwich wrapped into a tortilla. The addition of guacamole gives it a creamy kick, but you can use other condiments for kids who don’t like the green stuff.
- Pretzel Kabobs – If you’re looking for the main parts of a sandwich without the bread, this one’s for you. Pair it up with some fruits or veggies and a little sweet treat for a rounded lunch.
- Lunchbox Pizza Quesadilla – Tortillas come to the rescue once again for these portable pizzas.
- Ham and Cheese Muffins – Who doesn’t love breakfast for lunch? These muffins have all of the best parts of an omelet in an easy, portable form.
- Peanut Butter Banana Roll-Ups – For the lovers of peanut butter and jelly, this wrap offers a new twist and is incredibly easy. The granola gives it an added crunch.
- Veggie Mac & Cheese – This is a great meal to take in a thermos. Just make a box of mac, add the vegetables of your choice, and you’ve got yourself an easy lunch.
- Healthy Homemade Chicken Nuggets – A popular choice with plenty of kids, this healthier chicken nugget recipe will fit the bill for taste and nutrition. You could even make oven-baked “fries” to go with them.
- Veggie Black Bean Burger – This savory patty will satisfy any non-meat eaters in the family, kids and adults alike! There are three different ways to cook it, and you can treat it like any other burger and add whatever toppings you like.
Additional Healthy Lunch Tips
These recipes can be just the beginning of a new healthy lunch repertoire. If you want to come up with options that fit your child’s tastes, keep some of these things in mind:
- Always try to include a fruit or vegetable with the meal. Apples and oranges are good, portable options.
- If brown-bagging is getting boring, consider a bento box. Not only are they cute, but they open up your options for the kind of foods you can pack.
- Kids are often more willing to try a food that they helped make. Turn meal prep into a fun activity for the whole family!
With these tips and recipes, you can make sure your child starts off the school year the healthy way. Bon appetit!
