If you’re like most parents, you start off the school year strong when it comes to packing healthy school lunches. Cut-up veggies at the ready in the fridge, whole grains always within reach, colorful fruit chunks shaped like hearts and stars — you’re killing it in the beginning! But as the school year progresses, life gets busier, your kids suddenly develop an aversion to the things they’ve eaten for three months and you hit a stand-still on creative lunches for school.
“Every year, it’s the same,” says mom of two Maile Jensen, of Newburgh, New York. “I have all these school lunch ideas saved to Pinterest, and then a few months in, we fall into the same boring pattern of turkey sandwiches and pretzels every day.”
Want to avoid going full-on Groundhog Day with your kid’s lunches this year? Consider these impossible-to-resist healthy school lunch ideas, along with expert meal-making tips. The proof will be in your child’s empty lunchbox.
What makes a healthy lunch?
“Protein foods are a must for a lunch meal,” says Jennifer Thompson, an advanced practice dietician with expertise in pediatric nutrition therapy at Johns Hopkins. “Lunch should also include a grain, ideally one fruit and one vegetable, and a calcium-rich food, such as milk, yogurt or cheese, which can also count as the protein source.” (This breakdown is also what MyPlate, the nutritional guidelines of the USDA, recommends.)
And if you want to toss in a piece of dark chocolate or a cookie once in a while for cool parent points, feel free. But make sure it’s of the edible — not drinkable — variety.
“It’s perfectly fine to include a small sweet snack item on occasion,” says Thompson. “But when it comes to beverages, stick with water, low-calorie fruit juice or low-fat milk. Sodas and regular juices contain excessive amounts of sugar.”
17 healthy school lunch ideas to pack
While you should always aim for a lunch with all five food groups, here are a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to put your own twist on them — as well as your own sweet love note.
1. Cracker sandwiches
“Cracker sandwiches with cheese and deli meat or nut butters are a good option for a main,” says Thompson.
Serve with a side of watermelon slices and carrots.
2. Fruit kabobs
“Various in-season fruits, including pineapple or kiwi chunks, strawberries, watermelon or cantaloupe chunks and orange segments make great fruit kabobs,” says Thompson. “And you can add a small container of plain yogurt with a little cinnamon to dip.”
3. Veggie kabobs
The fruit kabob’s less-sweet sister? Vegetable kabobs, of course.
“Cucumbers, zucchini and cherry tomatoes are good together, and also are delicious to dip in a small container of hummus,” says Thompson.
4. Turkey wraps
“A turkey wrap with shredded lettuce and/or sliced peppers is a great way to sneak veggies into lunch — and it adds a variety of colors, which kids love,” says pediatric and family nutritionist Andrea Berez.
Pair with a side of grapes and a cheese stick to hit all five food groups.
5. Pasta salad
Yum! Pasta salad with veggies checks off both the grain and vegetable boxes. But add white beans and/or low-fat mozzarella cheese and you’re killing numerous birds with one stone. Serve with sliced strawberries on the side.
6. The a la carte
For kids who like to keep their food separate, this lunch of mini sandwiches, yogurt, pretzels, cucumbers and half a banana is perfect and ticks all the box. It’s almost too pretty to eat — and it can easily be a lunch with all five food groups!
7. Hard-boiled eggs, chicken, cheese and tomatoes
For a seriously protein-packed lunch, include chicken breast slices, a hard-boiled egg, cheese cubes and tomatoes. You can also sub out the cheese for a fruit, such as blueberries or raspberries.
8. Ham wraps
To get out of the traditional bread and deli meat rut, Thompson suggests using a tortilla, pita or even an English muffin. In addition to a yummy ham wrap, throw in a side of pretzels, strawberries and mini rice cakes.
9. Peanut butter and jelly
According to Berez, mixing up textures is important.
“Plan for both crunchy and smooth textures for contrast, such as a natural crunchy peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a sliced apple,” she says.
10. Guacamole and veggies
“Guacamole makes for a good dip for sliced veggies,” says Berez.
Toss in a side of cut-up cantaloupe and light popcorn.
11. Tuna sandwich
Whether you’re making a traditional sandwich on bread or you’re using crackers, tuna makes for a great source of protein — especially if you’ve mixed it with avocado! Pair with jicama slices, kiwi and low-fat cheese cubes.
12. Hummus and cucumber sandwiches
For a veggie-protein main, make a hummus and cucumber sandwich. Carrot sticks, a nectarine and nuts and dates go great on the side and round it out nicely.
13. Pasta with lentils
Pasta with lentils isn’t just yummy, it’s full of protein. Pair with snow peas and orange slices. And add a glass of milk to make it a lunch with all five food groups!
14. Whole grain waffles
Waffles for lunch? Why not?! You can put frozen waffles into your kiddo’s lunchbox and by lunch time, they’ll be thawed. Add a side of cheese or a nuts for protein, along with strawberries and kiwi. Or, per Berez’s suggestion, make a “sandwich” with nut butter and sliced bananas.
15. Turkey and cheese kabobs
Sneak a little protein into your kid’s beloved kabobs by skewering deli meat with tomatoes and cheese. Carrots and raspberries would go well on the side, too!
16. Quinoa salad
Quinoa salad with tomatoes and cucumbers and a side of blueberries and trail mix? Yum!
Pro tip: Make extra, so you can steal some for yourself. Kids shouldn’t have all the fun.
17. Pasta with chicken and tomatoes
Looking to pack a lunch with all five food groups? Consider pasta with chicken and tomatoes and a piece of fruit on the side. It’s healthy. It’s simple. And it’s pretty much a guaranteed kid-pleaser!