“Really, Mom, ANOTHER sandwich for lunch?” I have heard this from my kids so many times, and I am sure you have too!
It is challenging to come up with new lunch ideas for my kids. Not only do you have to consider what your child enjoys eating, but you also have to consider the time they have to eat. My son has about 20 minutes at school, which is not very long. You also have to think about whether or not your child can heat their food.
Of course, we also must consider whether lunch will provide good nutrition for them.
Even on days when I am home with my daughter, I find it challenging to keep lunch interesting. I know I have failed when we remain at the kitchen table for almost an hour, and she is still sitting there, not at all excited about eating her lunch. Am I alone here?
I decided I was tired of our lunch routine. Really tired. I was tired of sitting at the table for an hour, constantly asking my daughter to eat her food. And I was really tired of half-eaten sandwiches coming home in my son’s lunchbox.
So instead of wallowing in my dislike for lunchtime, I decided to do something about it. A few months ago, I brainstormed some new ideas, and over the last few months, we have been trying them out.
They are ideas that are different, tasty, and nutritious. Here are some lunches that have worked well for us, and I hope they will work for you too!
Components of a Healthy Lunch
It is helpful to include at least three different food groups in your child’s lunch. Our five food groups are:
| Grains | Vegetables | Fruits | Proteins | Dairy |
Sometimes I include a grain, depending on what the rest of the lunch contains. I always throw in a small treat of some sort to encourage my children to eat their food.
I actually don’t know whether they save the treat for last, but I sure hope they do!
Pasta with Cheese, Berries, Veggies, Chocolate Milk, and Cinnamon Almonds
I added some cinnamon-roasted almonds on the side of this pasta for a little protein boost.
Find the recipe for the cinnamon almonds here.
I also make my own chocolate milk to reduce the amount of sugar my kids consume. The already-made chocolate milk has 6 1/2 teaspoons of sugar, and 3 1/2 of those are added sugars.
When I make it myself, I can limit the amount of chocolate syrup I add, and they love it just as much!
Meatballs, Green Beans, Apple Slices, and a Blueberry Muffin
Meatballs actually make a great lunch, and both of my kids love them! Here is the recipe in case you want to try them.
I usually make extra meatballs for dinner and freeze them in small containers with three meatballs in each. This seems to be about the right serving size for lunch.
The meatballs keep my son full all afternoon. Even my daughter, who is a self-proclaimed vegetarian, likes them!
Quesadilla, Corn, Avocado, Salsa, Cranberries, and Chocolate
This is a simple lunch that can be eaten either hot or cold.
I found some great glass lunch containers online. They work well in both the microwave and dishwasher, and they are fairly durable.
Mini Hot Dogs, Fruit Salad, Veggies with Ranch, and Yogurt
I found some great grass-fed beef hot dogs without added nitrates, and my kids absolutely love them.
You can serve the hot dogs cold or warmed in a thermos. I sent my son with ketchup on the side.
Turkey, Cream Cheese, and Spinach Roll-Ups
Serve the roll-ups with Triscuits, apples and blackberries, raw vegetables, and a glass of milk.
I like to use spinach in lunch roll-ups because it provides plenty of nutrition, and my kids can barely taste it.
Almond Butter Sandwich, Fruit, Veggies, and a Small Treat
Serve the sandwich with bananas and oranges, celery and baby carrots with ranch, a fig bar, and a few gummy bears for dessert.
I saved this option for last because it is the most similar to a traditional sandwich lunch. But sandwiches can still be made more interesting!
Make Lunchtime More Fun
Kids’ lunches do not have to be boring, but sometimes you do have to make an effort to try something new.
Hopefully, you will be able to use a few of these ideas this week. I would love to hear whether your kids like them!
Originally published February 2018.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
