Ideas for Packing a Healthy School Lunch!
Ali Segersten
Well, September is here, school is beginning and it is time for packing lunches once again! The above lunch was made by my 8 year old daughter. It is composed of a quesadilla made with refried beans and two brown rice tortillas, blackberries and sliced nectarines, sliced carrots and cucumbers, raw cashews, almonds, and chocolate chips. As you can see, very simple and nutritious, full of key nutrients for a growing and developing brain.
First off, if you haven't read the post I did last year on Packing a Healthy School Lunch you might want to check it out. I have a colorful chart with pictures of foods in each food group that you can download, print, and post on your refrigerator for a quick reminder of what to pack. This way your child can choose a food from each category to create a healthy, balanced lunch.
Main Dish/Protein Ideas:
- Quinoa Salmon Burgers
- Summer Black Bean Salad (made without the spicy peppers)
- Dilled Adzuki Bean and Rice Salad
- Chicken and Wild Rice Salad
- Rice, Garbanzo Bean, and Kale Salad (my kids love this one!)
- Spring Herb Quinoa Salad (my 5yr old daughter's favorite!)
- Collard Wraps with Raw Sunflower Seed Pate
- Garlic Rosemary White Bean Dip on sliced bread with cucumbers
- Slices of Roasted Chicken
- Lentil Noodle Soup
- Easy Chicken and Vegetable Stew
- Spiced Chicken and Rice Stew
- Soothing Red Lentil Soup
- Moroccan Chickpea and Potato Soup (an absolute favorite of my kids)
- Halibut and Potato Chowder
- Soy-Free Tamari Roasted Nuts
- Quesadilla slices made with brown rice tortillas, refried black beans, and spinach
Vegetables/Fruits:
- Green Smoothie (poured into a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid)
- Blueberry-Cucumber Smoothie
- Cucumber, Tomato, Basil Salad
- Raw Mediterranean Kale Salad
- Orange-Wasabi Cabbage Salad
- Curried Carrot Cauliflower Soup
- Mixed greens with a small container of Salad Dressing on the side
- Slices of cucumbers, carrots, and celery (my kids like simple best)
- Celery sticks with almond butter spread into them
- Any in-season whole or sliced fruit
Grains:
- Sticky Brown Rice in nori rolls (all-time favorite of my kids)
- Cooked Quinoa
- Cold Spaghetti Salad
- Whole Grain Flatbread (yeast-free + gluten-free)
- Quinoa Seed Crackers
- Teff Banana Bread
- Teff Banana Pancakes
- Dark Teff Sandwich Bread
- Zucchini-Almond Bread
- Peach Muffin
- Carrot Raisin Buckwheat Muffin (my kids beg me to make these!)
Treats:
We don't always have treats around but when we do it would be some of the following (fruit is sometimes the best and easiest treat of all):
- Raw Energy Balls
- Cinnamon-Sunflower Truffles
- Chocolate Almond Butter Cake (grain-free + paleo)
- Spiced Teff Cookie Bar
- Sunflower Seed Cookies
- Oatmeal Heart Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies (vegan + gluten-free)
- Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies (vegan + gluten-free)
- Strawberry Hazelnut Shortcakes (gluten-free + egg-free)
- Maple Raspberry Scones (vegan + gluten-free)
- Mango-Coconut Pudding
- Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Crisp
Please share your healthy school lunch ideas in the comment section below!
About the Author
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 2000 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.Nourishing Meals Newsletter
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