Tired of the same old sandwich? Jazz up your kids' (or your own) lunches with these healthy creative lunch ideas.
It might be said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when it comes to classroom performance and overall alertness in the afternoon, a healthy lunch for kids should not be taken lightly.
And now with school back in full swing, it’s important that you send the little loved ones in your household away with a lunchbox or brown bag full of nutritious foods that deliver a cache of nutrients needed to fuel hard-working minds.
But in the typical cafeteria, where the temptation of nutritionally lacklustre items like pizza and fries looms large, it’s important that you up your game beyond PB&J if you want your kids to be excited about what you packed for them.
In need of a little lunchbox inspiration for meals that your kids definitely won’t want to trade? These recipes are just the ticket to wake up lunch by providing a winning combination of great taste and creative use of ingredients. And you surely don’t need to be classroom bound to enjoy them, as they’re just as delightful at work for grown-ups.
Recipes
- Roasted Carrot Hummus Chicken Wraps
- Tuna Salad Bean Cups
- Pizza Pasta
- Broccoli Mushroom Frittata Sandwiches
- Kale Lentil Sweet Potato Salad
All in the family
To foster long-term healthy nutrition habits, it’s important that children are engaged in meal planning and preparation. So don’t make these recipes a solo affair.
Allow your children to get involved in various lunch-making activities such as rolling wraps, moulding the bean cups, and, of course, massaging the kale.
Older children can even be provided instruction on chopping ingredients, sautéing vegetables, and grating cheese. In time, they may even return the favour and start making your workday lunches.
Matthew Kadey, MSc, RD, is a dietitian, nutrition writer, and recipe developer. He is also the author of Rocket Fuel (VeloPress, 2016) and Muffin Tin Chef (Ulysses Press, 2012).
Alexa Everett
Carime Lane
Adam Meyer
Emilie Richardson-Dupuis