Healthy Lunch Ideas for Adults and Kids

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.

Hello there! Today we’re talking lunch. I’ve got healthy lunchbox ideas for adults or kids.

This year my son, Jake, is a first grader. I like having control over what my kids eat, so I pack his lunch everyday. Jake eats a fairly wide variety of foods, so it’s been fun to create different combinations for his lunch.

I have been using the Rover lunchbox (pictured) from PlanetBox for Jake’s lunches and occasionally my husband’s lunches too. 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. Everything you need fits right into this lunch box. I seriously love it.

Here are some of our favorite easy and 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.

Healthy Lunchbox Ideas for Kids & Adults

Cherry tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, hummus, pita, turkey and cheese roll ups, dark chocolate chips

Raspberries, blueberries, broccoli, egg salad (or chicken salad), radishes, ranch dressing, dark chocolate covered peanuts

Cherry tomatoes, celery with cream cheese, peanut butter and banana tortilla roll ups, strawberries and blueberries, dark chocolate covered peanuts

Raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, pasta salad, hard boiled egg, granola bites

Raspberries, graham crackers, salad, rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce, mini oatmeal cookie

Tortilla chips, blueberries, tomatoes, apples and celery with peanut butter and raisins, turkey and cream cheese tortilla roll ups, chocolate candies

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 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

Whole grain zucchini muffins, string cheese, watermelon and blueberries, peanut butter 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, layered Mexican bean dip with tortilla chips, mini oatmeal cookie

Tomatoes, hummus with feta cheese, cucumber slices, crackers, chocolate chips

Lunchbox Tips:

• 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 Jake’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 two year old 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.

5 from 6 votes

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Healthy Lunch Ideas (for adults and kids)

In a lunch rut? Here are healthy and easy lunchbox ideas for adults or 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.

Course main, snacks

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 1 +

Calories 250 kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

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

1. Mix and match ingredients from each category to create your perfect lunch!

PlanetBox was kind enough to send me the Rover lunchbox and bag in exchange for my review of their product. All opinions expressed are my own.