Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

This ultimate guide and list of Healthy Lunchbox Ideas will have you covered when you are in a lunchbox rut.  Follow the basic lunchbox formula, choose from the extensive list of ideas and check out the top tips for making lunch box packing a breeze.

As busy parents it is easy to fall into the trap of serving the same lunch day after day. If you are ready to switch things up but are lacking inspiration you have come to the right place. 

Providing children with a variety of healthy foods in the lunch box not only keeps your kids interested, but it is also important for healthy growth and development and for encouraging healthy eating habits. 

However, nobody wants to spend all morning making lunch boxes; by following these tips and ideas you should be able to pack a lunch in under 10 minutes, either the evening before or the morning of.

Lunchbox Builder - What to Put in A Healthy Lunchbox

1. Vegetables - Nutrient dense and a great source of fibre.
2. Fruits - Full of vitamins and minerals that are important for growing bodies.
3. Grains (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain or high fibre - Rich in carbohydrates to help kids play and learn all day.
4. Meats and Alternatives - A protein source to help keep children focused and alert throughout the day.
5. Dairy and Alternatives - Vital for healthy bones and teeth.

Avoid sugary drinks, such as soda and juice and limit high-sugar /sodium foods.

Healthy Lunchbox Ideas for School

Here are some examples of lunchboxes that include at least 4 of the 5 food groups. Click on the links for full recipes.

Pinwheel Sandwiches, Cherry Tomatoes, Grapes, and Greek Yogurt topped with frozen raspberries.

Half a Wholegrain Bagel, Tuna Salad, Kiwi, Carrot Sticks, Mini Cucumber Halves, Cherry Bliss Ball.

Baked Falafel and Hummus Stuffed Pitta (with shredded carrot, cucumber and lettuce), Smoked Paprika Dip, Fruit Salad, Vegetable Strips and Homemade Popcorn.

Vegetable Rice Paper Rolls, Edamame, Nut Free Dip, Cherry Tomatoes, Cheese Cubes, Satsuma, Raspberries, Tropical Oat Ball

Leftover Vegetarian Chilli, Corn on the Cob, Strawberries, Blueberries, Guacamole, Baked Tortilla Chips

Nut Free Pesto Pasta with Chopped Vegetables, Pineapple, Strawberries, Baked Chickpeas

Mini Crustless Quiche, Coconut and Mango Baked Oat Slice, Vegetables, Olives, Mixed Berries.

Cheese Sandwich, Cucumber, Tomato, Raspberries, Rock Melon, Egg, Raspberry and Coconut Oat Ball

List of Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

Are you still looking for more inspiration? Here is a list of lunchbox-friendly items, split into the main food groups. Mix and match to create your own balanced lunch.

Fruits

Add whole fruits such as apples, bananas and peaches or cut-up fruits such as melon and mango. Fresh fruit is great but you can also add frozen fruit or canned (look for canned in juice rather than syrup).

• apple or apple sauce / puree
• apricots
• banana (whole)
• berries
• cherries
• figs
• grapes
• kiwi, peeled and chopped
• lychees
• mandarin
• mango cheeks or slices
• melon (all varieties) cut into chunks
• nectarine (whole or cut)
• peaches (whole or cut)
• orange
• passion fruit (cut in half, remember a spoon!)
• pear
• pineapple chunks
• plum (whole or cut)

Vegetables

Some vegetables are the perfect size for the lunchbox such as cherry tomatoes, mini cucumber and baby carrots. You can offer raw vegetables or cooked such as sweet potato wedges or mini corn ribs.

• avocado (half or guacamole)
• bell peppers (capsicum), cut into strips
• broccoli florets
• baby carrots
• beetroot slices
• green beans
• carrot batons/coins/grated
• celery stick (why not try ants on a log)
• corn on the cob/kernels/baby corn/corn ribs
• cucumber sticks/coins
• edamame
• peas
• snow peas
• radishes
• cherry/roma/tomato wedges
• roasted vegetables
• qukes
• soup (in thermos)
• salad leaves
• vegetable fritters

Grains

• bread (sandwich, bread sushi, sandwich kebabs)
• bread roll
• naan
• wraps (pinwheel sandwiches, quesadillas)
• pita bread
• pasta (salads, tortellini kebabs)
• quinoa (quinoa balls, quinoa fritters, quinoa crackers)
• crackers
• crisp bread
• rice cakes
• oats (fruity oatmeal cups, oatcakes, oat slice)
• noodles
• muffins (vegetable muffins, zucchini muffins, sweet potato muffins)
• pancakes (scotch pancakes, apple pancakes, strawberry pancakes)
• vegetable rice paper rolls

Meat and Alternatives

• chicken (chunks, shredded chicken, sliced, drumsticks)
• hummus
• canned tuna (sandwiches, tuna cakes, tuna salad)
• cold lean meat slices
• mixed beans
• fish cakes
• eggs (hard-boiled, egg salad, quiche, egg muffins, vegetable frittata)
• leftover bolognese, chilli, lentil lasagne etc
• roasted chickpeas
• lentils (lentil burgers, lentil bake, lentil pancakes)
• falafel
• meatballs (chicken meatballs, spiced meatballs)
• tofu
• tempeh

Dairy

• milk
• yogurt
• cheese
• smoothie
• yogurt-based dips (smoked paprika dip, mint yogurt sauce)

Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunchbox

Plan and Prepare in Advance

If you plan and prepare in advance you are more likely to pack a healthy lunchbox with variety. Taking a little bit of time to plan can save you a lot of time and stress on a day-to-day basis.

• Shopping List
  Plan and write a list for the week to ensure you have all the ingredients and avoid last minute rushing.
• Freezer Stash
  When you have extra time in the evenings, weekends or holidays fill the freezer with freezer-friendly lunchbox items such as bliss balls, lentil bake, fruit-sweetened muffins, savoury vegetable muffins, healthy banana bread, quinoa balls, pancakes, vegetable fritters, scrolls and even sandwiches.
• Utilise Leftovers
  Leftovers are your friend, make extra at mealtimes and send the leftovers in the lunch box either cold or heated and sent in a thermos.

Food Safety/Freshness

• Always make sure foods are cooled before being packed (unless heated for a thermos).
• Keep cold foods in the refrigerator until just before packing.
• Keep cold items cold in an insulated bag with a freezer gel pack. On hotter days add a frozen yogurt pouch or frozen water to keep things extra cool.

Find the Right Lunchbox

Choose a lunchbox that suits your packing style but also your child.

Bento boxes are great because the sections allow for a variety of fruit and vegetables and even a dip to keep everything visually appealing and interesting. If you don’t have a Bento-style lunch box you can divide up your kid’s lunch box with silicon patty pans.

Some kids prefer hot meals, thermoses are great for keeping food hot until lunch time.

Keep It Simple

Lunchboxes aren't the time to introduce new foods to your children. Stick to familiar and easy-to-eat items. If you find your child only likes certain foods then keep it interesting by presenting them in different ways. e.g. Serve sandwiches as pinwheels, use cookie cutters to make them visually more appealing or serve them cut up on a stick (sandwich kebabs).

Get Your Kids Involved

Encouraging your children to get involved in preparing their own lunchboxes is a great way to instil healthy eating habits and increased consumption. Get them involved with grocery shopping, give them choices and encourage them to choose foods from each food group.

Allergies

Be aware of any food restrictions that the school may have in place (e.g peanut, nut, egg free etc)

Frequently Asked Questions