Cool Lunch Ideas for Kids

We've teamed up with local nutritionist and mother of 1.5 (almost 2!) Wendy Howarth of Origins Nutrition and Wellness to bring you this great list of nutritious meals and snacks to pack in your child's lunchbox - tried and approved by some of the pickiest eaters.

Find out more about Wendy and her services here.

Getting started – let your child choose a cool lunch box or insulated bag.

A salad a day – Get your child to make a salad with a variety of mixed veggies. Anything your child makes will be more likely to get eaten.

Cool Tuna Casserole - Mix one can of water-packed tuna or one cup of cooked chicken with about three cups of cooked macaroni. Add a cup of vegetables -- corn or peas, chopped carrots, celery, or tomatoes - toss with a little salad dressing or mayonnaise.

Vegetarian chili (Amy’s) with grated cheese on top with a slice of whole grain bread.

Be sure to give your child protein (brain food) with every meal.

Healthy leftovers – make great lunches. Meat and vegetables.

Sushi sandwiches – spread/layer sandwich ingredients on a slice of fresh crustless bread, roll up and slice into pinwheels. These are easy to eat, pack easily, and look great! Egg, chicken or tuna salad, sliced chicken, veggies and a small amount of goat cheese or cheddar.

Sandwich shapes – Assemble as usual and then cut into shapes with large cookie cutters.

Soups – Homemade are best. Canned or dried usually contain too much salt or additives.

Smoothies – for kids on the run. Toss into the blender, a scoop of protein powder, milk (almond, rice or cow’s), pineapple juice, a few berries, ½ banana, and a tablespoon of flax seed oil to boost the immune system.

Mini-kabobs - cooked cubed chicken, sweet peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, grapes, melon or kiwi.

Hummus and pita bread or crackers.

A bowl of granola, with good plain yogurt and berries on top.