20 Healthy School Lunches Your Kids Will Actually Eat
20 Healthy School Lunches Your Kids Will Actually Eat
Need kid-friendly lunch ideas beyond butter sandwiches? Start here.
Hey parents — we know the struggle of diversifying your child’s palate is real. Some days it feels like a victory when they eat a piece of fruit or try a new veggie. Other days, the only foods that seem to pass the test are Kraft Dinner, sugary cereal, grilled cheese, or plain noodles dripping with butter. Picky eating isn’t just frustrating — it can leave you worried about whether your child is getting enough nutrition to fuel their growth, learning, and energy throughout the school day.
Packing school lunches only adds to the challenge. As a parent, you want to feel confident that the meals you send are not only healthy, but also kid-approved. And yet, there are few things more disheartening than opening your child’s lunchbox at the end of the day only to find the sandwich untouched, the veggies ignored, and only the sweet treat eaten. It’s a cycle that leaves many parents asking the same questions: How can I pack healthy school lunches my kids will actually eat? What are the best strategies for picky eaters? And how do I make sure their lunches are both nutritious and enjoyable?
The good news is that with a few simple strategies — from choosing the right balance of proteins, fruits, and whole grains, to presenting foods in fun, approachable ways — it’s absolutely possible to pack a lunch that fuels your kids for the day and makes it home with an empty lunchbox. In this article, we’ll explore practical, parent-tested tips and nutritionist-approved advice to help even the pickiest eaters enjoy healthy school lunches.
Shredded Chicken Quesadillas
These chicken quesadillas warm up nicely in a school microwave, but are also delicious straight from the lunch box and dipped in sour cream and salsa.
Filled with melted cheese, sweet peppers and flavourful, protein-rich chicken, these Shredded Chicken Quesadillas are packed with what your little one needs for a day of learning and fun.
Veggie Wraps with a Jalapeño Dill Sauce
If your child likes a little flavour kick in their meals, we highly recommend these Veggie Wraps with a Jalapeño Dill Sauce. If they're not into the heat of jalapeños, you can remove it from the recipe, still being left with a delicious and light creamy dill sauce.
You can easily substitute the veggies in these wraps for ones your child prefers. We know it can be a challenge to get them interested in new fruits and veggies, so feel free to use what you know they already love.
Crispy Tofu Curry Pad Thai
This school-safe (peanut-free) curry pad Thai is so easy to make, and a delicious lunch whether it be warmed in a microwave, sent in a thermos, or straight out of the fridge.
Your child will love these rice noodles soaked in a flavour-rich sauce, mixed together with delicious vegetables and crispy tofu (or another protein of your choice).
When you pack this Crispy Tofu Curry Pad Thai for your child's lunch, you can feel confident that they'll be getting the energy and nutrients they need for their schooling.
Chicken Shawarma
This chicken shawarma recipe takes less than 45 minutes to make, and is a great option for multiple lunches for multiple kids, or a great simple dinner with lunchbox leftovers.
The diverse options for this Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma are endless; serve it with rice or pitas, or top your child's favourite fresh salad with it.
Delicious with a tahini drizzle or hummus dipping sauce, your kids will adore this fun and healthy lunch.
Sweet Potato Perogies
If your kids have a sweet-tooth, these naturally sweet, gluten-free perogies are the perfect lunch for them.
Easy to eat, these Sweet Potato Perogies are a light and satisfying option to give your kids the energy they need to get through a day of mental and physical exertion.
Put them in a thermos to stay warm, and just pack some sour cream, fresh green onions for the perfect topping.
If you've got a meat-loving child, you can also incorporate bacon or sausages into this recipe to make it a bit more filling.
Smoky Tempeh Ranch Wrap
Surprise your child with this flavour-filled vegan wrap.
Tempeh is an awesome plant-based protein, with a nutty flavour and firm texture, similar to meat.
Pack this Smokey Tempeh Ranch Wrap with your child's favourite veggies for extra enjoyment, or pack all the fixings deconstructed for a bit of lunch-time fun as they make their own.
Creamy Orzo with Vegetables
Make this simple one-pot recipe vegan, vegetarian, or with bone broth based on your families dietary preferences.
Loaded with veggies and protein any way you prepare it, this meal is full of what your child needs for a full day at school.
Perfect for the fast-approaching fall season, pack this Creamy Orzo and Vegetable up in a thermos or microwave safe container for a belly-warming and body-fuelling lunch for your little one.
Smoky Lentil Sloppy Joes
Who doesn't love a Sloppy Joe? These timeless, and super simple to make sandwiches have been adored by kids for generations.
This healthy plant-based Sloppy Joe recipe honours the classic, messy sandwich you grew up eating, but in addition to being vegetarian, also provides some extra nutrients for your active child.
Be sure to pack extra napkins!
Braised Beef Tacos
Did you know that the Spanish word "taco," roughly translated, means "light lunch"?
Light or not, tacos are always a hit with the youngsters because they can be made in so many ways and are jam-packed with exciting flavours.
Our Braised Beef Tacos are full of health-promoting nutrients, proteins, and vitamins, perfect for your active and growing child.
Pack these yummy and exciting lunches up deconstructed with their favourite taco fillings and let their creativity flourish!
Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna
Perfect for a rainy or cool autumn day, pack this tasty pasta lunch in a thermos to stay warm until lunch time.
This saucy and veggie-packed Lasagna is sure to have your kids savouring their last bites and begging for more, so be prepared.
Our Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna is a great dish to make multiples of all at once and stick in the freezer for another day.
Each of these meals are great for meal-prepping a week's worth of lunches for however many children you have, and for you and your spouse.
We also highly recommend using that parental "work smart not hard" mentality to use these simple recipes when planning some delicious week-night dinners with lunch leftovers in mind.
