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kids lunch ideas
Kids' Lunch Ideas

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kids lunch ideas

Kids' lunch ideas give you some healthy ideas to grow a healthy child. A child needs a meal or snack about every 2 to 3 hours. Each meal must provide the building blocks of nutrients that support the little one's constant growth.

For lunch, we must support growth, but also provide what is needed to learn in school and the energy needed for various physical activities. During lunch and snack time, food is not always the priority of your little one due to the socialization that takes place when kids get together.  

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kids lunch ideas

Healthy Kids' Lunch Ideas


Salad with Vegetarian Chicken Nuggets

  • 4 to 6 protein nuggets; cook as directed
  • 11/2 cup of salad; using greens for your salad bed, layer shredded carrots, beets, and other vegetables of your choice
  • Arrange nuggets on the size of the bowl 
  • Top with shredded cheese (soy or rice)
  • In a separate container, place 2 tbsp. of goddess dressing—best high nutrient non dairy, creamy dressing ( purchase at the health food store).

Things To Keep in Mind When Choosing Your Kids Lunch

We should consider the following things when it comes to selecting meals (snacks) for children:

It should be familiar. Don't try anything new away from home. It allows you to monitor the potential for allergic reactions and also maintains a certain emotional connectedness to home, which provides comfort.

Should be easy for them to handle. Make sure that a sandwich is cut in quarters. Make finger food in small bite-size pieces.

Make every morsel count. There are many high-calorie, low-nutrient convenient snacks. Available in bulk, these items have a reserved space in the pantries of most of homes and have become a daily staple in the little one's lunch.

A kid's lunch should contain good sources of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and natural sugar.

Should be pesticide free, non-genetically modified (GMO) and have few additives. 

Read labels and know the source of your food. Locally grown or organic fruit is best. The Environmental Work Group (EWG) provides a list of fruits and vegetables that are highest in pesticides. Apples, which are the most popular fruit for kids, is #1 on this list.

This information on this list is important because       pesticides can have a negative impact on  child development.

EWG Dirty Dozen +

(produce highest in pesticides)

kids lunch ideas

Healthy Kids' Lunch Ideas

You will need to make a list and visit a natural foods store in order to prepare the following lunch ideas:

Mini Pizza

  • Small whole wheat pita bread
  • Spread shredded cheese (soy or rice) 
  • Drop dime-size spots of all natural pizza sauce
  • Top with vegetarian pepperoni, or sautĂ©ed veggies
  • Sprinkle garlic powder and oregano to taste
  • Bake until warm and cheese melts
  • Cut in Halves (depending on size) and pack in a plastic storage container

Rollup - Deli Slices

Using a tortilla (wheat, rice or multigrain)  

  • Spread soy mayonnaise, mustard, guacomole or mashed avocado
  • Place vegetarian deli slices, cheese slices 
  • Add shredded lettuce or spinach and tomato pieces
  • Roll and wrap with plastic wrap to hold in place

Tip -  remove seeds and pulp from tomato to prevent sogginess

Rollup - Cashew Salad (recipe)

Using a tortilla  (wheat, rice, or multi-grain):  

  • Spread soy mayonnaise
  • Add up to 3Tbp or more on tortilla  and spread evenly
  • Top with shredded carrots or lettuce or spinach leaves
  • Roll and wrap with plastic wrap to hold in place

Rollup - Vegetarian Nuggets

Using a tortilla  (wheat, rice, or multi-grain):  

  • Spread soy mayonnaise, mustard, guacomole, or mashed avocado
  • Spray alittle Braggs Liquid Aminos on tortillia
  • Arrange 3 to 4 nuggets on one side
  • Roll and wrap with plastic wrap to hold in place

Black Bean Burrito 

On one large tortilla: 

  • Spread guacamole or smashed avocado
  • Add 1/2 cup or more of cooked beans to food processor and blend to a paste-like texture
  • Spread bean paste on tortilla
  • Layer with shredded cheese, chopped tomato, red onions 1 tsp. (or more) of salsa
  • Start rolling tortilla at the half way point, tuck sides in, and continue to roll
  • Wrap in plastic wrap to whole in place

Hummus (recipe or purchased) in a Pita Pocket

  • Cut a small whole grain pita pocket in half
  • Open and add  1 to 2 tbsp. of hummus to each size
  • Top with shredded organic carrots
  • Wrap separately or store in a small container

Kids' Lunch Ideas - List of Nut & Seed Butters:

                Soy, Almond, Cashew, Peanut, Sunflower Seed

Nut BJ- Nut Butter Sandwich

  • 2 slices of whole grain bread 
  • Spread 2 tbsp. of nut butter on bread
  • Spread 1 tbsp. of fruit-sweetened jam
  • Cut into fourths 


Toddler's Favorite


Bite Size Nut Butter N Jam

Nut Butter - Crackers

  • 6 to 8 multigrain crackers
  • Spread nut butter on half of the crackers
  • Top with remaining crackers
  • Place small paper towel or napkin in storage container and place crackers to reduce moisture.

Raisin Bread and Cream Cheese

  • 2 slices of Ezekiel Bread
  • Spread tofu cream cheese on 1 slice
  • Top with remaining slice
  • Cut into quarters 

Whole-Grain Bagel

  • Spread 1 tbsp. of hummus on each side
  • Using a serrated knife, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Store in plastic container 

Plain Bagel - Italian 

  • Spread 1 tbsp. of olive oil on each side
  • Sprinkle with garlic powder to taste
  • Sprinkle a small amount (few pieces)
  • Using a serrated knife, cut into bit- size pieces
  • Store in plastic container

kids lunch ideas

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Lunch Bag Staples

8 oz bottled water or

8 oz box of soy milk

1 piece of fresh fruit

baked chips or trail mix