Easy And Healthy Lunch Ideas For Kids And Adults Alike
July 29, 2021
source: A Mindfull Mom
When I was growing up, processed foods were all the rage. Although my parents tried to feed us healthy foods, there were definitely times that we got tossed Lunchables and other processed snacks for lunch amidst the chaos of their busy schedules. And while eating these types of foods from time to time is okay, it’s not something I want to feed my kids (or myself) on a daily basis. And so, I’ve compiled a list of interchangeable lunch foods to pack for lunch that not only will your kids love, but you will too. Here you go!
The easiest way to plan ahead for lunches is by separating healthy foods into three groups: proteins, grains, and fruits/vegetables. Choose one item from each group per lunch, and you and your kids will have a healthy, well-balanced meal that will actually keep you full. Here are some ideas to work with:
Proteins
Tuna
Sliced turkey breast
Grilled chicken
Cheese
Nuts
Yogurt
Tofu
Hummus
Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs
Beans
Grains
Whole wheat bread
Whole wheat pita
Rice
Quinoa (which is also a protein)
Pasta
Low-sodium crackers
Rice cakes
Fruits/Vegetables
Bananas
Strawberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe/honeydew melon
Pineapple
Bell peppers
Cherry tomatoes
Carrots
Cucumbers
Here are some simple and tasty ways to combine the foods from each group into well-balanced lunches:
1. Pita with hummus, side of carrots
2. Egg salad sandwich, side of strawberries
3. Sliced turkey breast, cheese, and crackers, side of cantaloupe
4. Stir-fry made with rice, tofu, and assorted vegetables
5. Pasta made with grilled chicken and assorted vegetables
Kristen of the blog A Mind “Full” Mom follows the same idea and even made a helpful info-graphic that you can print and hang on the fridge. Refer to this chart when making your grocery list, and mix and match those food groups for healthy, wholesome, and delicious lunches!
See how easy it is to create nutritious and delicious lunches when all of the options are right in front of you? I used to have such a hard time coming up with ideas until I started using this method when meal planning for the week ahead. Of course, there are many more options to add to each of the three groups besides these ones – but hopefully this gives you a good starting point, and makes packing lunches a little bit easier!