Healthy Lunch Ideas for Adults and Kids – 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!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
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.
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.
Sabrina says
This is exactly what I need to get us out of our lunch rut! Loving all of the ideas.
Chrissie Baker says
So many awesome lunches here! This is a good ideas and amazing recipes too.
Catalina says
This is exactly what I need! I am always looking for healthy lunch box ideas for my kid!
Melanie Bauer says
Such a fantastic idea! Love everything about this, absolutely a must try!
Anna says
I am always struggling with lunches! Loving these ideas!
Jody Davidson says
How do you know how much of each item to pack for an adult lunch??
Celebrating Sweets says
That will vary based on how much that adult typically eats for a meal. I usually try to pack at least 1 serving of protein, 2 servings veggies, 1 serving of fruit.
Jessica Formicola says
Lunch is always a meal that I struggle with, so I’m glad to have come across this! So many amazing ideas!
Justine says
It’s so easy to fall into a rut….these were some great ideas!