Healthy School Lunches
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If you would like to save a little time, have some variety and provide lunches that kids will eat, have the children make their own school lunches. My children started making theirs at 10 years old and have never looked back. The easiest way to do this is to keep a selection of their favourite healthy foods on hand.Teach the children to include 1 protein, 2 grains, 1 dairy, 2 vegetables, 1 fruit and a healthy snack in their lunch. You may have to watch them at first, but they will get the hang of it quickly enough. |
Healthy Lunch Food for Kids to Choose from
Protein (Choose 1)
*Do not use processed meats. Freshly cooked and leftover meats are best.
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Dairy (Choose 1)
Veggies that most kids will eat (Choose 2)
Fruit that travels well (Choose 1)
Add-ons
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Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your children’s diet. Experiment with all kinds of cut up raw vegetables and keep trying. Even kids who start out not liking veggies will develop a taste for them, if you are consistent in presenting them. For easy-to-use vegetables, wash and store them in airtight containers. You can even make your own pre-made salads by throwing in all kinds of veggies including broccoli, cauliflower, string beans, etc. Make a jar of dressing for the week and voilà! Salads to go that even the kids can make for their lunches.
Here is our favourite Family Salad Dressing (keep a jar in the fridge)
In a mason jar, add:
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine (or balsamic) vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp honey
- Salt & Pepper
Shake well
Download the Healthy Lunches pdf here: Healthy Box Lunches MTM
Use a lunch planner with your kids to select the items that they like and write them into the lunch planner at the beginning of the week. Shopping for and making nutritious lunches that your kids will eat will be a snap. Download the Lunch Planner here: My School Lunches Planner
You might also like Healthy School Snacks here: Healthy School Snacks
Trying to menu plan for your family? Start with the Fridge list.
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