10 Kid-Friendly and Healthy Lunch Box Ideas
Kids can be hard to please and incredibly fussy eaters — especially when it comes to packing [...]
Kids can be hard to please and incredibly fussy eaters — especially when it comes to packing them a healthy lunch. You could make a mean meal with every exquisite ingredient on the face of the earth, but the truth is they won't eat it. It's a hard-hitting moment for #thestruggleisreal.
While it can be worrisome to what they eat or don't eat during the day, until your child's tastes for higher cuisine mature, making a nutritious lunch doesn't have to be hard. But it does have to be creative and packed with flavor!
To ease your mind in knowing they're eating healthy, genuinely enjoying their food and still having fun with the flavors, consider these 10 kid-friendly lunches.
Baked Veggie Taquitos
These are perfect because they're versatile and can be mixed up with whatever ingredients you like. With an easy mix that's best prepared the night before, these whole-wheat tortillas filled with roasted butternut squash, Swiss chard and Monterey jack cheese are low in calories, packed with fiber and high in vitamin A and C.
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Chicken, Cheddar and Lettuce Flatbread Wrap Bites
Finger food is a big part of a kid's diet and these flatbread wrap bites are the perfect way to get them to eat healthy. Simple, super easy and very quick to make, these flat bread wrap bites offer endless varieties so the kids don't get bored.
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Pizza Pinwheels
Since pizza is a necessity in almost every child's life, give them their favorite meal at lunchtime with this easy recipe made from their favorite toppings in a tender crescent patty.
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Sushi Sandwiches
Though it takes 30 minutes to prep, this imaginative sandwich idea boasts endless opportunities for ingredients and is incredibly easy to make — especially the night before with your kids. Moreover, with credit to its appearance and flavors, it disappears quickly too.
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Southwestern Taco Egg Muffins
These southwestern inspired breakfast is the protein-filled muffin your kids need to recharge during the day. With eggs, ground beef and spinach, you can rest easy knowing they won't get hungry until they get home. Plus, you'll have enough for the week or to freeze for later.
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Butternut Squash Mac 'n' Cheese
Butternut squash is the quintessential autumn favorite and there's no better recipe to integrate this beloved ingredient than in macaroni and cheese. Loaded with vitamin A, fiber, folate, lutein and calcium, you'll be amazed when your kid requests seconds thanks to a cheese sauce that good.
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Peanut Butter and Fruit Sushi
Kids really love their peanut butter and jelly, but it's not always a substantive lunch. Inspired by the all-time favorite, this recipe blends peanut butter with real fruit in the form of a sushi roll — just for fun. The possibilities of fruits are endless though. From bananas, apples and strawberries, to even the exotic superfruits, you can mix them up or blend them all.
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Chicken Noodle Soup
With the help of pre-cooked chicken and a trusty thermos, this warm and comforting dish made the night before of herbs, veggies and noodles will be their absolute favorite lunch. Not to mention, it will keep them full for hours.
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Jumbo Burger Cups
Enjoy a dinnertime classic in a whole new way with this biscuit cup filled with all the burger fixings. With just 12 ingredients and easily prepared the night before, your kid will love the ease of this meal and its endless varieties.
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Baked Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets have had a bad rap over the past few years, but they're still one of your kid's favorite finger foods. Known as a secret weapon to get your kids to load up on protein, this easy chicken nugget recipe of panko crumbs and parmesan cheese is not only delicious, but made without all that deep-frying.
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