Healthy Lunch Ideas – No heating or microwave needed; everything can be served chilled or at room temperature. Use my printable recipe list to mix and match hundreds of lunch combinations. VIDEO and PRINTABLE BELOW!
Healthy Lunch Ideas
If you’re in need of some lunch inspiration – I feel ya! My kids have already returned back to school, and I am currently living the hustle bustle of drop off/pick up, pack lunch, grab a snack…go go, go! One thing I know, is that our days run smoother when I have taken the time to prepare nutritious meals and snack.
I love using these ideas to help vary our lunches. These are some of our favorite healthy lunch combinations. Feel free to mix and match to suit your tastes. Check out my printable “recipe” list with different categories for creating a well balanced lunch. Note: see below for details on the lunch container I used in these photos.
NOTE: If packing lunch for school, make sure that you are aware of any peanut or other food restrictions that the school might have in place. Any recipes including peanut butter can be swapped for another nut or seed butter, if necessary.
LOOKING FOR A HOT LUNCH? SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, I’VE SHARED SOME OF MY FAVORITE HOT LUNCHES (right before the recipe card).
Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids & Adults
Cherry tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, hummus, pita, turkey and cheese roll ups, dark chocolate chips.
Energy bites, cucumbers, carrots, crackers, cheese, strawberries.
Raspberries, blueberries, broccoli, egg salad, radishes, ranch dressing, dark chocolate covered peanuts/raisins.
Cherry tomatoes, celery with cream cheese, peanut/almond butter and banana tortilla roll ups, strawberries and blueberries, dark chocolate covered peanuts/raisins.
Raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, hard boiled egg, granola bites, pasta salad (pasta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, peas and carrots).
Raspberries, graham crackers, salad, rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce, mini oatmeal cookie.
Pasta with pesto and peas (or tortellini salad), mini bell peppers, raspberries, string cheese, mini peanut butter cup.
Tortilla chips, blueberries, tomatoes, apples and celery with peanut/almond butter and raisins, turkey and cream cheese tortilla roll ups, chocolate candies.
Cranberry walnut chicken salad, cheese, bbq chips, strawberries, carrots, mini M&M’s.
Carrots, blueberries, tortellini with marinara, cucumbers with ranch, banana chips.
Apple slices, pretzels, carrots and cucumbers with ranch, peanut butter granola bar, dried cherries.
Granola bites, pea crisps, apples with peanut/almond butter, cream cheese and jelly sandwich, raisins.
Crackers, cucumbers, blueberries, turkey and cream cheese roll ups, cheese, raisins.
Trail mix, watermelon, crackers and cheese, ham and spinach roll ups, dark chocolate chips.
Mini muffins, string cheese, watermelon and blueberries, sandwich crackers, almonds
Tortilla chips and salsa, fruit salad, almond butter and jelly sandwich, cheese, chocolate candies.
Banana chips and dark chocolate chips, string cheese, grapes, turkey roll ups, almonds.
Orange slices, raspberries, Mexican bean dip (smashed black beans, sour cream, cheese and salsa) with tortilla chips, mini oatmeal cookie.
Tomatoes, hummus with feta cheese, cucumber slices, crackers, chocolate chips.
Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl with Hummus and Pita
Apple, Apricot and Quinoa Salad
Tips for packing these Healthy Lunch Ideas:
- If packing lunch for school, make sure that you are aware of any peanut or other food restrictions that the school might have in place.
- When packing lunch for yourself or your child, think about the other members of your family too. While assembling my son’s lunch I’ll put together a similar spread for my husband to take to work, or I’ll set aside some of the same food for my young daughter to eat at home for lunch the next day. While you’ve got all that food out, think ahead a little. It’ll save you time in the long run.
- Adjust the portion size based on whether the lunch is for an adult or child. When packing Jake’s lunch his portion sizes are smaller than those pictured here.
- Be sure to keep food safety in mind. Certain items listed will keep at room temperature but some will require an ice pack to stay cool.
OPTIONS: Print the RECIPE CARD below for lists that you can mix and match to create your perfect lunch OR click here → LUNCH IDEAS PRINTABLE for a pretty printable to hang in your pantry or cabinet.
PREFER A HOT LUNCH? TRY THESE:
LASAGNA SOUP – CHEESEBURGER MACARONI CASSEROLE – CHICKEN RICE SOUP – BEEF & SWEET POTATO CHILI
Healthy Lunch Ideas (for adults and kids)
Ingredients
Fruits:
- Bananas
- Apple
- Orange
- Pears
- Melon, sticks or cubes
- Berries
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Grapes, try them frozen too!
- Applesauce
Veggies:
- Carrots, with dressing/dip
- Cucumber, with dressing/dip
- Broccoli florets, with dressing/dip
- Celery sticks, with peanut butter or cream cheese
- Bell pepper strips
- Green beans
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green salad
- Radishes
Mains:
- Sandwiches, pb&j, turkey, ham, cream cheese and jelly
- Peanut butter, honey and banana tortilla roll ups
- Turkey/ham, cream cheese and spinach roll ups
- Turkey/ham with cheese and crackers
- Tortellini or pasta with pesto, olive oil or marinara
- Chicken salad, (on bread, lettuce, or served with crackers)
- Egg salad, (on bread, lettuce, or served with crackers)
- Tuna salad, (on bread, lettuce, or served with crackers)
- Hard boiled eggs
- Bagel with cream cheese
- Rotisserie chicken, with ketchup or BBQ sauce for dipping
- Layered Mexican bean dip with tortilla chips, (beans, sour cream, salsa and cheese)
- Hummus topped with feta cheese, serve with crackers or pita
- Whole grain waffles or mini pancakes
- Quinoa and veggie bowls
- Overnight oats
Misc:
- Pretzels with peanut butter or almond butter
- Tortilla chips and salsa
- Hummus and pita chips
- Baked cheese puffs
- Crackers
- Trail mix
- String cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Granola
- Whole grain muffins
- Protein bars or granola bars
- Popcorn
- Graham crackers
Instructions
- Mix and match ingredients from each category to create your perfect lunch!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!Nutrition facts vary based on what is served.
Note: The lunchbox pictured is the Rover lunchbox from PlanetBox. All the food stays separated, nothing leaks or gets squished, it’s made from safe stainless steel, it’s eco-friendly, and it’s dishwasher safe. I seriously love it.
Staff
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Thank you!!! Where did you get that steel box? I want it!
Celebrating Sweets
Hi! The link to the lunchbox is below. Amazon also has some more affordable options. Enjoy!
https://www.planetbox.com/products/planetbox-rover-lunchbox?variant=20636936321
The sweet and salty business
Just so u know that one is WAAAAAAY to expensive but I found a great replacement that’s even spill proff!
https://www.amazon.com/Compartments-Leakproof-Containers-Removable-Stainless-Steel/dp/B07W1JJ6D6
Coco
Hi I’m just wondering where you got the little tiny container that was sometimes in the big container. It so times had in it peanut butter, and all sorts of sauces.
Celebrating Sweets
Hi! It came with this lunchbox: https://www.planetbox.com/products/planetbox-rover-lunchbox
But I have also purchased similar containers from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-1-5oz-Proof-Condiment-Containers/dp/B07S48TRM2/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&aaxitk=fT6XsxzAtXauNEV0aLgFfw&hsa_cr_id=5686223970101&ref_=sb_s_sparkle
Kamii
Could you link or provide the recipe for extra prep parts? Im mainly thinking about which ham/turkey and cream cheese one you suggest ( the pic just shows the rolls mean but is there extra? never knew that was a thing)
or your recipe suggestions for the chicken/egg/tuna salad?
Celebrating Sweets
Hi, Kamii. Here’s a link to chicken salad and egg salad (but you could use any recipe, really).
As for the the ham/turkey and cream cheese: simply spread cream cheese on a slice of ham/turkey (add a few pieces of spinach if you want) and roll it up. Alternatively, you can spread the cream cheese on a flour tortilla, top with ham/turkey and spinach, roll it up and slice it. It’s really personal preference if you want the tortilla or not.
Enjoy!
Rhonda
What a variety of great ideas. I just ordered the bento boxes from Planetbox. Can’t wait to use them.
Allison
Fantastic! Enjoy! 🙂
Jenn M
Hello! Do you have a full recipe for the pasta salad (pasta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, peas and carrots)?
Allison
I just cook the pasta according to the package directions and add frozen peas and carrots during the last few minutes of cook time. Drain the whole thing and add olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan to taste. Enjoy!
Charlotte Sims
Where did you get the bento boxes?
Allison
https://www.planetbox.com/