20 Whole Food, Packable Lunch Ideas for School Aged Kids
I am always looking for lunch ideas for my kids. It seems like they get bored with food items so quickly. But most lunch idea lists on the internet are full of processed foods or lacking the protein and fat that kids need for their bodies to grow and brains to function.
I am no food nutritionist, but I am a mom who has 1.) raised two healthy, strong girls and 2.) witnessed significant outcomes in my children and the children around me depending on the foods they eat. Things like attention span, obesity, energy spikes and crashes. And unlike many food nutritionist, I have common sense and don't believe in the USDA dietary recommendations that school "hot" lunches are based from.
As parents, we think we need to feed our kids "kid" food - that their young pallets can't handle "adult" food. I'm here to tell you that's a lie the food industry has sold to you in the form of added sugars, highly processed grains, food coloring and blah textures.
If you have a real conversation with your kids about food, health and nutrition, they will begin to learn the choices that are best for their body. They will associate the positive feelings (clear headedness, energy, and vitality) and negative feelings (stomach aches, energy crashes, and brain fog) with the foods they eat.
Why this list is so great:
🎉 Your kids can pack it themselves - this will make them appreciate their lunch MUCH more.
A Final Couple Tips:
👍I intentionally left the meat vague so you can use whatever cut you have available and can swap out proteins as desired.
👍Have your kid pack their lunch the night before.
👍ALWAYS make leftovers - these can be reused in lunches all week.
👍 Cut your meat, veggies and fruit up early in the week, so your kid can grab what they want.
👍 Think whole and simple. They don't need some elaborate lunch with 3 bags of chips and a dessert. If they are still hungry, just pack more of each item.
20 Whole Food, Packable Lunch Ideas for School Aged Kids
1. Grilled Chicken Strips with roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli.
2. Chicken and Avocado Lettuce Wraps with cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumbers.
3. Baked Wild Salmon (cold) with quinoa and roasted or fresh carrots.
4. Grass-Fed Beef Meatballs with zucchini and marinara sauce.
5. Hard-Boiled Eggs with sliced apples and almond butter.
6. Grilled Lamb Skewers with hummus and sliced bell peppers.
7. Beef Stew with carrots, potatoes, and peas, served with a side of sliced cucumbers.
8. Homemade Chicken Soup with bone broth, shredded chicken, carrots, and celery.
9. Pancakes with a side of fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.
10. Baked Sweet Potato with shredded chicken and a side of green beans.
11. Stuffed Bell Peppers with ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes.
12. Chuck Roast sliced with cherry tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers.
13. Cucumber and Tuna Salad Boats (tuna salad served in cucumber halves) with a side of grapes.
14. Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps with a side of carrot sticks.
15. Ground beef sliders with lettuce wraps and a side of roasted sweet potato fries.
16. Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry with brown rice and a side of pineapple chunks.
17. Shredded Chicken with asparagus and mashed cauliflower.
18. Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps (made with hard-boiled eggs, avocado, and a bit of mustard) with a side of carrot sticks.
19. Chia Seed Pudding with milk or yogurt, topped with fresh berries and a side of nuts.
20. Shrimp with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a side of fruit salad.
These lunches can be adapted to your family's diet: Skip the grains, switch out the veggies, use in-season fruits. Sometimes my daughter needs a little encouragement, so I'll give her a little honey or homemade ranch to dip in. I hope these help you on your quest for growing healthy brains, bodies and minds!