Healthy Lunch Ideas for Back to School

By RMHP

Healthy Lunch Ideas for Back to School

Packing a Healthy School Lunch All Year Long

A nutritious and delicious lunch is a necessity for kids in school. They need to keep up their energy levels and attention spans during the long school day, and a healthy lunch makes that easer.

If you’re feeling uninspired about what to pack for school lunches this year, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for tips and recipe ideas that are all about packing a healthy school lunch.

There’s nothing wrong with leftovers

If you’ve never packed leftovers in your child’s lunchbox, you’re missing out on an easy and healthy way to keep them satisfied. You’ve already cooked for the family, and we hope the kids loved it. Use the family meals to streamline school lunch duty.

Leftovers that pack well in school lunches include one-dish meals like:

Soups
Chili
Casseroles

A thermos will keep warm foods warm, ice packs are great for keeping foods cold, and now you’ll have one less meal to prepare.

If you’ve made something like grilled chicken, save some for sandwiches and wraps. You don’t have to use the entire meal to make the most of this tip — using one or two parts of the full meal is a great foundation for a healthy school lunch.

For healthy school lunches, opt for finger foods

Foods that don’t require eating utensils are ideal for school lunches, although that can be tricky if you’re packing leftovers. Try some of these options:

Veggies and dip. Carrots and hummus are a classic, but trying something new like tzatziki and celery is always fun.
Sliced fruit with peanut butter or yogurt for dipping
Sandwiches, roll-ups, and wraps are staples for a reason! You can change things up by using lettuce wraps instead of bread, or pack a turkey burger on a whole grain bun. Try hummus or pesto in place of mayo, and go crazy with the toppings.
Kebobs and other foods on skewers are perfect for school lunches — like this tasty recipe for peanut butter and jelly on a stick.
Homemade trail mix or granola for a healthier dessert

Your back to school lunch goal: Balance

Packing a healthy school lunch for your child doesn’t have to be stressful. Use this simple formula to make sure you’re hitting the major nutritional bases: