10 kid-approved lunch ideas
Lunch kabobs
You can make these ahead of time and stash them in the fridge until you're ready to assemble. Saves time and the possibilities are endless! Some good combos: pasta salad on a stick (big pasta shells, chunks of cucumber and tomato, tofu cubes and fresh basil leaves). Add the sauce on the side or drizzle on top. You can also assemble these snack sticks with pieces of their favorites, such as cheese, choice of protein, and fruit.
Build your own veggie tacos
Using a divided container or separate smaller ones, you pack the taco fillings for your child to assemble on his/her own. For example; black beans, lettuce shreds, cheese, guacamole, etc.
Build your own pita pocket
Use the same concept as the tacos, this time provide them with a small pita open and cut in half, with fillings of your choice, packed on the side. By giving your child the task of filling it, it's more likely he'll want to eat it. Children love being creative and giving them different options can be a fun idea! For example, my children enjoy these foods in their pitas: pesto, hummus, peppers, olives, white beans or tofu, lettuce and cherry tomatoes.
Crêpes
For a special sweet surprise, you can give them crêpes for lunch once in a while! You can make it nourishing by subsidizing a small part of the flour with buckwheat flour, and rolling it with some chia seed strawberry jam. For a salty version, you can add spinach, cheese and protein of choice.
Smoothie
Smoothies are one of my kid's favorite things to snack on! If you want to add smoothies to your kid's lunchbox, I recommend using a tightly sealed bottle, and if you want to make it in advance and save time the morning of, you can make a big batch, freeze it into cubes using an ice tray. Pop a few cubes in the bottle and let unfreeze on its own!
Bonus: it will help keep the rest of the box fresh and cold! Smoothies are a great way to add nutritious ingredients to your child's diet. Picky eaters might enjoy a smoothie filled with fruits and veggies more so than if you had served them whole separately. Our kid's favorite smoothie lately:
● 1 frozen banana
● 1 cup of coconut milk or oat milk
● A dash of cinnamon
● 1 tbsp. of chia seeds
● ½ cup of spinach
In a blender, add all ingredients until you obtain a creamy consistency.
Hearty soup
Start with a good vegetable broth, such as the Herbamare cubes. I add water and a ton of veggies. I stick to my children's favorites, like sweet potatoes, carrots, celery and peas. I then also add onion, garlic, chickpeas, pesto and pureed tomatoes. This makes for a complete and hearty meal. Sometimes I add gluten free quinoa pasta, which they greatly enjoy. If your child is a picky eater, maybe start with one or two veggies with the broth and noodles. I think it's important to meet our child where they are at nutritionally to avoid overwhelming them with too many new foods. Always include a safe food (something you know they love) in their meal.
Avocado wraps
Use ripe avocado, or even leftover guacamole, and protein-rich hummus to make vegan hummus and avocado wraps. Add some sprouts or salad greens for crunch, but leave out the tomato if sending to school, to avoid sogginess. Sprinkle some Herbamare original salt on top for some healthy seasoning.
Hummus dipper
Hummus is a great source of protein. This lunch is one of the easiest to throw together. In a divided container, add chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes and carrots. You can also add some sweet potato crackers.
9. Chickpea ''tuna'' sandwich
Chickpea salad sandwiches are perfect for the whole family. They don't have to be heated, and they're packed with plant protein from the garbanzo beans. If you have picky eaters, chop everything finely. This recipe is a great way to introduce new foods to your kids. To make the chickpea salad / spread, simply add all the following ingredients to a food processor.
● 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
● 2 tbsp. vegan mayonnaise
● 1 branch of celery, chopped
● 1 green onion, minced
● Herbamare spicy or original salt, to taste
● ½ tsp paprika
This recipe can also be done with canned tuna or chopped up chicken breasts if that is your child's preference.
Simple mini pizza
This will please a picky eater. Have them choose their toppings and add them to a small pita or naan bread. Cook in advance, add to the lunch box and voilà! Make sure to add some fruit and veggies on the side for added nutrients! My kids also love to have sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds in the box, those options are usually school friendly (instead of allergens like peanuts and other nuts).