10 Healthy Back-to-School Snack and Lunch Ideas

Happy Hump Day!

Since many schools are already back in session or starting up in the next couple of weeks, it is time to think about packing lunches and snacks again. Fortunately I only have to pack a small snack for Keenan to bring to preschool three days a week since he eats lunch at home. But, he is not one to eat the same thing day-in and day-out, so I’m constantly thinking of new lunch and snack ideas to keep him interested and asking for more. Keenan is a good eater and loves his veggies and fruits, so if your little one is more on the picky side, tweak the recipe ideas to fit your family’s taste buds.

Here are 10 healthy (and simple) back-to-school snack and lunch ideas that are beyond the typical sandwich that we love, and hopefully your family will love, too…

1. Turkey Rolls: Take a slice of turkey and fill it with some avocado, tomato and spinach. Roll it up and it’s good to go. Keenan loves these for lunches, in fact he will eat at least three of them! Add some carrots and fruit for a complete lunch.

2. Apple Pie Cottage Cheese: Mix some cottage cheese with 1 tsp of cinnamon, 1 tsp of honey or xylitol and a tart apple (chopped).

3. Mini Pizzas: Take an English muffin, flat bread or tortilla and top with tomato sauce, a little mozzarella cheese, chopped chicken and a sprinkle of fresh basil (or any toppings of your choice) and broil in the toaster oven or in your regular oven until the cheese is melted. You can make them the night before to pack for lunches the next day.

4. Yogurt Parfait: Mix plain Greek yogurt with some flaxseed, chia seeds and a tsp of honey. Layer with fresh berries and granola or chopped nuts.

5. Italian Picnic: Pack a few slices of cheese, nitrite free salami (or other meat of your choice), whole grain crackers, carrots and fruit for a fun lunch. This is another one of Keenan’s favorite lunches!

6. Simple and Easy: Pack a couple of hard boiled eggs with some fruit and fresh veggies for an easy lunch. Or, one hard boiled egg and some fruit or veggies for a healthy snack.

7. Celery Trains (as Keenan calls them): Fill pieces of celery with almond or peanut butter.

8. Veggies and Dip: Pack some fresh chopped veggies (baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, etc) with some hummus and some fruit or whole grain crackers.

9. Avocado Boats: Remove the pit and fill the inside of each avocado half with a simple chicken or tuna salad (mix chicken or tuna with a finely chopped tomato, red onion, drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pinch of salt and pepper). Make sure to eat with a spoon! Keenan loves eating these for lunches, too!

10. The Traditional Salad: Involve your child in making the salad, adding whatever veggies or fruits are in the fridge, along with some protein and a simple dressing of olive oil and vinegar.

Since it’s Wednesday, I’m also joining Jenn for What I Ate Wednesday today. Be sure to check out her blog for all her delicious eats

Have a good one!

Questions:

What is your favorite lunch?

What is your favorite snack?

Do you pack your kids’ lunches or do they buy them at school?