15 Healthy Packable Lunch Ideas

Is the healthy, interesting, kid-friendly packed lunch not the bane of many mothers’ existence during the school year?

We want to feed our kids healthy foods.  That they will eat.  That isn’t the same thing, day after day.  And that hopefully doesn’t break the budget.  What are moms to do?

Let us help you.  Try one of these 15 complete meal ideas…or choose from the mix’n’match options below to create your child’s favorite lunches.  Keep this post handy with this printable so that you never run out of choices!

15 Healthy Packable Lunch Ideas

Meal #1: Pita Pizzas, “Lunchables” Style

• Soaked whole wheat pitas
• Mozzarella cheese
• Tomato sauce
• Small salad w/dressing
• Grapes

Meal #2: Tortilla Roll-Ups, Meat/Cheese

• Soaked whole wheat tortillas
• Nitrate-free lunch meat
• Sliced cheese
• Orange slices
• Cucumber slices

Meal #3: Tortilla Roll-Ups, Nut butter

• Soaked whole wheat tortillas
• Almond butter (or sunflower seed, etc.)
• Apple slices
• Celery sticks

Meal #4: Hot Soup

• Chicken and Wild Rice soup, or Garden Veggie soup
• Biscuit
• Peach slices

Meal #5: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

• Marinated chicken
• Sprouted bun (or choose a GF variety)
• Lettuce, tomato, pickle, cheese, or other condiments/toppings
• Banana

Meal #6: Green Salad

• Lettuce
• Tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, or other favorite veggies
• Favorite dressing (try sweet onion poppy seed)
• Cheese
• Chicken or beans

Meal #7: Mac’n’cheese

• Mac’n’cheese
• Broccoli
• Chicken or ham
• Pear slices

Meal #8: Graham Crackers and Nut Butter

• Graham crackers
• Nut butter (or sunflower seed butter)
• Yogurt
• Apple slices
• Celery sticks

Meal #9: Hummus, Pitas and Veggies

• Hummus
• Pitas
• Broccoli, cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc.

Meal #10: Apple Sandwiches

• Apples, cored and cut sideways
• Nut butter of choice (peanut, almond, pecan, sunflower)
• Raisins
• Carrot sticks

Meal #11: Chicken Nuggets

• Homemade chicken nuggets
• Cheese slices
• Dried cranberries
• Cucumber slices

Meal #12: Mini-Burgers

• Sprouted buns
• Burgers
• Cheese, lettuce, tomato, other toppings
• Sweet potato chips
• Watermelon

Meal #13: Cheese Sticks

• Mozzarella sticks
• Trail mix
• Blueberries

Meal #14: Quesadillas

• Quesadillas (cheese; or add chicken, peppers, etc. if your child likes)
• Black beans or refried beans
• Pineapple chunks

Meal #15: Taco Kit

• Ground beef or chicken with taco seasoning; or Mexican pork roast
• Tortillas
• Cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomato, or other favorite toppings
• Apple-peach sauce

Mix’n’Match Ideas

Choose 1 from each category (or some categories) to create a healthy lunch!

Main Dishes

• Grilled-cheese roll ups
• Cheeseburger soup
• Broccoli cheddar soup
• Baked potato soup
• Honey oat bread (for sandwiches)

Side Dishes

• Cheese slices or sticks
• Yogurt
• Granola
• Sweet potato chips
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Quinoa salad
• Baked beans
• Banana bread
• Pumpkin bread

Fruits

• Bananas
• Apples
• Oranges
• Grapes
• Peaches
• Plums
• Pears
• Raisins
• Cranberries (dried)
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Watermelon
• Pineapple
• Applesauce

Vegetables

• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Celery
• Broccoli
• Tossed salad
• Bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cauliflower
• Snap peas

Drinks

• Water
• Milk
• Herbal Tea
• Lemonade
• Strawberry-limeade
• Kombucha

Treats

• Chocolate chips
• Granola bars
• Chocolate muffins
• Apple cinnamon oat muffins

What is your child’s favorite packable lunch?