Healthy Packed Lunch Options (for kids and adults)

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Back to school, back to school…. It’s always as a stressful time of year when you are a parent (which I’m not but it’s pretty safe to assume). There is so much to worry about, so let me help simplify packing a lunch for your child (and yourself). I’m sharing a few of my favorite recipes that would be great for packed lunches for kids and adults. These are recipes that are great to batch cook and prepare in advance to make for a smooth morning departure. I know getting caught up packing a lunch in the morning can make you more rushed or stressed so I always recommend packing the night before or even portioning out meals for the week. The best thing is these are options that are great for kids and adults! As a lunch packing veteran I can definitely say making a couple of meals for the week for lunch really makes life easier. Okay so here are the delicious and easy lunch options:

1. Pasta Salad

 

Orzo Veggie Salad with Hummus Dressing

OR

Fresh Veggie Quinoa Salad

Both grain based “salads” are easily made more kid friendly. Make sure the veggies are chopped into small pieces and serve each item separately. The sauce/dressing would be on the side, plain pasta, and veggies for dipping. For an older child (or adult) that doesn’t mind their food touching it could be combined.

 

2. Veggie muffins

 

Spinach Feta Quinoa Muffins

OR

Veggie Cornbread Muffins

Super packable and any whole grain or veggies could be substituted here to fit the child (or adults) preferences- you could even add meat. Easy to make a batch for the whole week and they are delicious.

 

 

3. Healthy Burgers

Nutritional Yeast Veggie Burgers

OR

Caprese Turkey Burgers

Vegetarian and meat filled options to please all preferences or dietary restrictions. Or experiment with bean burgers- so many good recipes and flavors.

 

4. Meatless substitutes

Lentil Meatless Balls

OR 

Salmon “Meat” Balls

 

Both options can be used in place of meatballs or shaped into burgers, just add some veggies for a full meal. Or crumble to use as a ground beef substitute.

 

5. Pizza

Apple Turkey Bacon Cheddar Pizza

OR

Salsa Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? These are great option to send into school on a Friday when the cafeteria lunch might be a gross greasy pizza and your child doesn’t want to miss out on the fun. Serving your child a colorful replacement full of texture can make it more appealing.

 

 

What is your favorite lunch to pack? What about as a kid? Classic PB&J will always be a winner to me!