It’s almost back-to-school time (siggggghhhh I know), which means many of us mamas will be back to packing lunches for our little ones! I thought it would be fun to round up some different lunch ideas. I know sometimes I get in a major rut with making the same things for my kids over and over again, and I love to get inspiration from other mamas!
Below you’ll find some different ideas for EASY meals that wont take you an hour to pack every night or morning. I love to feed my kids healthy, balanced meals but let’s get one thing straight…I am not above mac ‘n’ cheese and frozen chicken nuggets. Plus my kid is picky as shit and wont come near a vegetable at this point in his life.
Just like with us adults, I think a few “less healthy” foods are fine in moderation! You can usually find ways to make those foods a little more nutritious, for example: using whole wheat tortillas instead of white for cheese quesadillas, buying baked chips instead of Cheetos, etc.
MAIN COURSE IDEAS:
- Sandwich using their favorite bread/bun, deli meat and cheese: I typically buy the little wheat slider buns which are smaller in size so i find we waste less using those. I buy the Applegate organic turkey and organic American cheese slices from Trader Joe’s! You can also switch it up and use a tortilla instead of bread and make it into more of a wrap.
- Tip to make it a little more fun: Make shapes/characters using candy eyes and cookie cutters, or try a sandwich-on-a-stick! I love this idea from Bless this Mess. Check it out here!
- Quesadillas: You can easily make these quickly in a frying pan or even just in the microwave. I typically just use wheat tortillas and organic shredded cheese for ours, but you could add beans, tomatoes, corn, rotisserie chicken, etc.
- Tortellini or pasta with parmesan/butter, red sauce, or pesto: My kids love cheese tortellini and it’s so easy to make. I also will sometimes use whole wheat pasta or chickpea pasta! I recently made this vegan pesto that’s packed with nutrients (avocado, spinach, cashews, etc.) and my kids loved it!
- Macaroni and cheese: I usually buy the Annie’s organic shells and cheese. You can get an amazing deal on a 12 pack of these at Cosco!
- Egg muffins: These are great because you can make them a few days in advance. They’re also great for breakfast! You just use a muffin pan and mix eggs with whatever fixings you like: ham, cheese, veggies, etc. There are tons of recipes here!
- Rotisserie chicken with rice: I buy a rotisserie chicken almost every time I go to the grocery store. It just makes healthy meals so easy. Sometimes I will just combine some chicken with whole grain brown rice (I buy the Uncle Ben’s bags that you just throw in the microwave for 90 seconds). You can also add a veggie to this with some butter & salt and pepper!
- Egg salad on a sandwich or pita: Egg salad is really easy to make! It’s basically just a combo of hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and some spices. If I’m making this, I try to use avocado oil mayo to make it a little more healthy.
- Almond butter sandwich or roll-up: Most schools won’t allow peanut butter, but that doesn’t mean you can use a different nut butter! Make a roll-up with almond butter and banana, or just use almond butter and jelly instead of a PB&J!
- Bagel with cream cheese: I like to use whole grain bagels and organic cream cheese. You can always buy garden veggie cream cheese to hide some veggies in there!
- Leftover pizza: This is always an easy option because let’s be real…cold pizza is the best the next day 🙂 You can also make little personal pizzas using an English muffin, pizza sauce and cheese!
- Cold pasta salad: Make this however you think your child would like it. It can be as simple as pasta, Italian dressing and some cheese…or you can add some veggies/cold cut meats if your child will eat them!
- Make your own cracker sandwich: This is a fun one in our house and is a healthier take on Lunchables. I just buy whole wheat crackers, a couple of different types of cheese cubes, and some pepperoni/turkey slices. I let them combine things however they like!
- Hummus/Pita or Naan: Weirdly, hummus is one of the only vegetable-based foods Peter Joseph likes. I’ll buy the individual Sabra to-go pouches and send some pita chips with it and he loves it!
- Mini pancakes or waffles: You can serve these alone, or make little sandwiches with them using nut butter/banana.
SIDES/SNACKS:
- Chopped fruits/veggies! You are a very lucky mother if you child eats these because mine will not 🙂 The best thing to do is keep trying though. Even if they don’t eat any of them, it’s still worth it to put it on their plate from time-to-time. Just don’t loose your mind when they don’t touch it! They will someday.
- Dried fruit: my very picky little guy WILL eat dried strawberries and bananas. I buy them at Trader Joe’s and they have nothing added to them. It’s the one way I get any fruit in him other than juice!
- Cheese sticks or cheese cubes
- Yogurt: I buy the Horizon organics ones (they look similar to Go-Gurt pouches, but the ingredients are much more clean)
- Hummus with pita chips, pretzels, carrots or chopped cucumbers
- Goldfish: they just started making whole grain goldfish!
- Fruit snacks: you can get a great deal on Annie’s organic ones at Cosco!
- Granola bars: Just be sure to read the labels…some of them are PACKED with sugar!
- Veggie straws (a little better than potato chips)
- Guacamole to-go packs with tortilla chips
- Applesauce pouches: Mott’s just started making clear pouches of applesauce with no sugar added. There’s a regular apple flavor and a strawberry flavor. Peter J really likes these! You can buy them at Kroger.
- Apple with nut butter or sunflower butter
- Raisins: you could always try “ants on a log” using celery, nut butter and raisins!
- Trail mix or raw nuts: just make sure it doesn’t have peanuts in it if your child’s school doesn’t allow them!
- Hard boiled eggs
- No bake energy bites: Just search this on Pinterest or Google and you’ll find tons of different recipes! I usually use this one. These are so great to have on hand and could even be mistaken as a “cookie” 🙂
- Popcorn
Please leave a comment below if there is anything I’ve missed that’s a staple in your home! Would love to add your suggestions to this post.
Enjoy the last few weeks of summer mamas!
XO
