It’s that time of year again. Lunch Box Season. And this time around you’re wondering what wholesome foods can you shove into your child’s lunch box without spending too much cash or time in the kitchen! I know the feeling and I opted to create a menu of lunch ideas complete with a main dish, veggie, fruit, beverage, and snack to make planning simple for you.
Below are 20 lunchbox meals that my kids will be eating this year. After experimenting with organic foods and cutting out hormones, antibiotics, sugar,s and preservatives, we opted for a vegan free lifestyle. Although you can probably call us Flexitarians as we have been known to have seafood on a rare occasion. However, even if you aren’t vegan, these recipes and ideas can be adapted to your family’s diet.
We’ve seen the health benefits and the tremendous improvement in reducing side affects from Aspergers and ADHD & ASD, but I digress; below are 20 ideas with links to recipes or tips to make certain meals. Another thought to keep in mind as you plan your child’s meals, with the invention of thermos and icepack, you can save big bucks by cooking meals like Lentil Spaghetti for supper one evening and then using it has a meal for your child’s lunch box. Simply heat it up and place in a thermos. This opens doors for soups, hot dogs, chili, pastas and more.
If you would like a printable version: Vegan Lunchbox Ideas for Kids.
| Main Dish | Veggie | Fruit | Beverage | Snack |
| PB & Jelly (Sushi Roll style) | Baby Carrots | Whole strawberries | Water | 1/4 cup almonds |
| Apple Pecan Pizza | Celery & Bell Pepper Sticks & ranch dip | Grapes | Almond Milk | bagged popcorn |
| Almond Butter & Banana Sandwich | Cuties / sugar snaps | Cutie slices | Apple Juice | Chex mix |
| Morning Glory Muffins | Broccoli heads and ranch dip | Blueberries | Water | Kashi Fruit Bars |
| Cold corn on cob | Orange slices | Almond Milk | Fruit Strip Snack |
| Main Dish | Veggie | Fruit | Beverage | Snack |
| Refried Bean Wraps | Corn | Grapes | Water | Chex Mix |
| Nutella & Apple Slices | Carrots and Sugar Snap Peas | In main dish | Berry Almond Milk | Tral Mix |
| Pizza Roll | Diced Carrots & Baby Peas | Kiwi & Strawberry Slices | Water | Chocolate Pudding Cups |
| Strawberry Jam on Whole Wheat Bread | Cauliflower/baby carrots & Catalina Dressing | Honey Dew Melon chunks | Apple Juice | Pretzels |
| Couscous with Peas | Bell Pepper Slices with Catalina Dressing | Apple Sauce | Chocolate Almond Milk | Edamame |
* Cook couscous with organic veggie broth instead of water, add peas. It tastes great served warm or cold.
|
Main Dish |
Veggie | Fruit | Beverage | Snack |
| Sesame Noodle Salad | Baby Carrots | Apple Slices | Water | Fruit strip snack |
| Veggie Wrap with Humus | Bell Pepper Sticks with Ranch Dip | Grapes | Coconut Milk | Trail Mix |
| Vegan Hot Dog on a Bun | Corn | Honey Dew Melon and Cantaloupe | Water | 1/4 cup Cashews |
| Veggie Chili | Edamame | Mandarins | Apple Juice | Trail Bars |
| Chocolate Zucchini Muffins | Carrot Sticks, Cherry Tomatoes | Apple Sauce | Orange Juice |
Whole grain crackers |
*For the wraps, I use whatever wrap or tortillas I have on hand and either make my own humus from scratch or use store-bought. Simple and easy. Either place humus in a separate container or spread onto wrap, roll and slice into pinwheels.
|
Main Dish |
Veggie | Fruit | Beverage | Snack |
| Baby Carrots | Oranges | Water | Fruit strip snack | |
| Apple Quinoa Muffins | Carrot, Celery Sticks with Cherry Tomato | Watermelon chunks | Berry Almond Milk | Applesauce |
| Whole Wheat Bagel with Strawberry Jam | Cucumber Slices with Vegan Ranch Dip | Blackberry & Raspberry mix | Apple Juice | Goldfish Crackers |
| Crack Wraps | Carrots & Sugar Snaps with Catalina Dressing | Kiwi & Strawberry Slices | Water |
Chocolate Pudding Cups |
| Brown Rice with Black Beans & Corn | In Main Dish | Pineapple Chunks | Water |
Trail Mix |
***DON’T FORGET TO ENTER INTO THE TARGET GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY.
So many great ideas that are easy to implement! Thanks so much for including my Apple Quinoa Muffins in the mix, too! 🙂