A few weeks ago I shared some of my favorite quick and healthy back to school breakfast ideas and more here. Since some of your kids are starting school this week, I thought I’d share my top 10 quick and healthy lunch ideas.
These recipes aren’t just for kids! You and your husband can enjoy these fast and yummy meals too!
As busy wives (and moms), one thing we all appreciate is convenience. But I believe that convenience doesn’t have to come at the price of our family’s health. We can make things fast and healthy too.
Here are 10 quick and healthy back to school lunches your family will love!
PBB Roll Up- Spread 2 TBS of natural peanut butter on an 8-inch whole wheat tortilla. Slice 1/2 a banana on top in 1/4 inch circles. Then roll it up. Your kids will love this PBB roll! You can add a drizzle of honey if you like (we do).
Chicken Pita or Wrap- Place 1/4 cup of shredded chicken inside a whole wheat pita or whole wheat tortilla. (I use leftover chicken from the night before, or take it off of a store bought rotisserie chicken.) Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese inside. Place some spinach or lettuce leaves, 2 slices of tomatoes, 2-3 cucumber rings, shredded carrots, and red bell peppers inside as well. (It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies.) You can even drizzle a little lite ranch dressing on top. Your kids will love it!
“Snacky” Lunch- This is one of my kids favorite lunch ideas. It’s made out of things I would usually serve as their snack, but I put together more of it and it becomes lunch. Ideas for a snacky lunch would be crackers with cheese and a little deli meat as well. Apple slices, a graham cracker, and baby carrots too. Think homemade “Lunchables” for a LOT cheaper.
Veggie Pizza- If your family is anything like mine- they love pizza. This is a quick and easy pizza that you won’t feel guilty about serving your loved ones. It’s made on a piece of multi-grain flax flatbread. Place on top a light spread of cheese and a rainbow of veggies.
Tuna Surprise- The surprise in my tuna is that it is filled with veggies (and grapes too)! This is a way to sneak in some great nutrition into the bellies of your picky eaters (I know husbands can be picky too). Click on the tuna surprise for the recipe.
Mac and Cheese- Why not? You know your family loves a good bowl of mac and cheese. Put it in a thermos and your child (or hubby) will tell everyone they’ve got the best mom/wife in the world! (With Annie’s brand you can make a simple and fast, natural mac and cheese - my kids like the shells.)
Easy Chicken Salad Wrap- Mix canned chunk chicken (or better yet, your leftover chicken) with cut up grapes, dried cranberries, and celery. Add about 2 TBS of light mayo. Stir until well combined. Spread on an 8-inch whole wheat tortilla (or inside a pita, or large piece of lettuce) and roll it up to form a wrap.
Turkey Meatball Pitas- You don’t have to wait for pasta to enjoy meatballs! Serve up a meatball pita sandwich. Use a whole wheat pita, and stuff it with cooked turkey meatballs. (Shortcut: get pre-cooked frozen ones and heat them up.) Put a little marinara on top, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. It can’t be beat!
Cream Cheese and Jelly Sandwich- A twist on the popular PB&J that kids across America love. For those of you with family members with peanut allergies this is for you. Use whole wheat bread or whole grain bread and spread a layer of cream cheese and your favorite jam.
Corn Quesadilla- Corn tortillas give this quesadilla a twist. Usually these are made with flour or whole wheat tortillas. Sprinkle your favorite cheese (I like sharp cheddar or jack cheese). Heat on a skillet for a couple of minutes on each side. Cut into quarters.
Quick and Healthy additions to lunch:
- popcorn
- cup of cut up fresh fruit
- string cheese
- whole fruit (plums, pears, apples, tangerines)
- hummus and fresh cut veggies
- trail mix
- kale chips
- seaweed
- pita chips and hummus
- dried fruit
- energy bars (how to video here… the little girl leading the instruction on this video (with my kids) was Michelle Obama’s special guest at the last State of the Union, has done Ted Talks, and her dish was chosen to be served for the first Kids State Dinner at the White House since this video was made a few years ago.) This is by far my family’s favorite snack to make.
Question: What’s your favorite lunch idea?