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Home » Healthier Recipes » Healthy Lunch Ideas

Healthy Lunch Ideas

Published: Jan 1, 2022 · Modified: Jan 1, 2022 by Allison · 99 Comments

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Choose from this large variety of healthy lunch ideas! No heating or microwave needed. Everything can be served chilled or at room temperature (perfect for packing school or work lunches). Use our printable recipe list to mix and match hundreds of lunch combinations.

Metal tin filled with various packed lunch foods.

If you’re in need of some lunch inspiration we’ve got the solution! These ideas work great for school, work, road trips, or picnics when you don’t have access to a microwave or oven but you still want a delicious and healthy lunch.

Mix and match the various foods to to suit your tastes and create your perfect lunch. Check out our printable list with different categories for creating a well balanced lunch. 

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.

Jump to:
  • Healthy lunch ideas for kids & adults
  • Healthy lunch tips
  • Printable to mix and match
  • Healthy hot lunches
  • Healthy breakfasts
  • Recipe

Healthy lunch ideas for kids & adults

Lunchbox with grapes, turkey, tomatoes, and pita.

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

Lunchbox Ideas

Energy bites, cucumbers, carrots, crackers, cheese, strawberries.

Lunchbox with egg salad, broccoli, berries, and radishes.

Raspberries, blueberries, broccoli, egg salad, radishes, ranch dressing, dark chocolate covered peanuts/raisins.

Lunchbox with banana, celery, and fruit.

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

Lunchbox with pasta salad, veggies, and berries.

Raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, hard boiled egg, granola bites, pasta salad (pasta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, peas and carrots).

Lunchbox with salad, chicken, and cookies.

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

Lunchbox Ideas

Pasta with pesto and peas (or tortellini salad), mini bell peppers, raspberries, string cheese, mini peanut butter cup.

Lunchbox with celery, fruit, and tortilla chips

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

Lunchbox Ideas

Cranberry walnut chicken salad, cheese, bbq chips, strawberries, carrots, mini M&M’s.

Lunchbox with blueberries, vegetables and pasta.

Carrots, blueberries, tortellini with marinara, cucumbers with ranch, banana chips.

Lunchbox with veggies, granola bar, pretzels and apples.

Apple slices, pretzels, carrots and cucumbers with ranch, peanut butter granola bar, dried cherries.

Lunchbox with apples, sandwich, granola, and chips.

Granola bites, pea crisps, apples with peanut/almond butter, cream cheese and jelly sandwich, raisins.

Lunchbox with turkey, cheese, cucumbers and blueberries.

Crackers, cucumbers, blueberries, turkey and cream cheese roll ups, cheese, raisins.

Lunchbox with ham, cheese, trail mix, crackers and watermelon.

Trail mix, watermelon, crackers and cheese, ham and spinach roll ups, dark chocolate chips.

Lunchbox with muffins, crackers, cheese, and fruit.

Mini muffins, string cheese, watermelon and blueberries, sandwich crackers, almonds

Lunchbox with sandwich, fruit and chips.

Tortilla chips and salsa, fruit salad, almond butter and jelly sandwich, cheese, chocolate candies.

Lunchbox with grapes, turkey, trail mix, string cheese.

Banana chips and dark chocolate chips, string cheese, grapes, turkey roll ups, almonds.

Lunchbox with bean dip, chips, and fruit.

Orange slices, raspberries, Mexican bean dip (smashed black beans, sour cream, cheese and salsa) with tortilla chips, mini oatmeal cookie.

Lunchbox with hummus and vegetables.

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

Lunchbox filled with fruit, salami, hard boiled egg, pretzels, cucumber

Pretzel sticks (include nut butter or hummus for dipping), cucumber, salami, fruit, hard boiled egg, dried cherries.

Healthy lunch 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 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. Many of these photos are portions of food I serve to my elementary age children.
  • 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.

Printable to mix and match

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.

Healthy hot lunches

Have access to a microwave and prefer a HOT lunch? Try these:

  • HEALTHY SLOPPY JOES
  • LASAGNA SOUP
  • CHEESEBURGER MACARONI CASSEROLE
  • CHICKEN RICE SOUP
  • BEEF & SWEET POTATO CHILI

Healthy breakfasts

  • Healthy Apple Crisp
  • Honey Vanilla Baked Pears
  • Homemade Granola Recipe
  • Egg Casserole

Recipe

Various packed luchbox foods in a metal tin

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.
4.93 from 53 votes
Print Pin
Course: main, snacks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 +
Calories: 250kcal
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

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

Video

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

Calories: 250kcal

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

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.

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.

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Comments

  1. Staff

    December 16, 2019 at 4:14 am

    This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Thank you!!! Where did you get that steel box? I want it!

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      December 16, 2019 at 8:51 am

      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

      Reply
      • The sweet and salty business

        May 06, 2020 at 4:19 am

        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

  2. Coco

    May 06, 2020 at 4:14 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      May 07, 2020 at 10:20 am

      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

      Reply
  3. Kamii

    July 09, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      July 10, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      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!

      Reply
  4. Rhonda

    July 25, 2020 at 7:49 pm

    What a variety of great ideas. I just ordered the bento boxes from Planetbox. Can’t wait to use them.

    Reply
    • Allison

      July 27, 2020 at 1:24 pm

      Fantastic! Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jenn M

    February 18, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    4 stars
    Hello! Do you have a full recipe for the pasta salad (pasta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, peas and carrots)?

    Reply
    • Allison

      February 19, 2021 at 11:38 am

      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!

      Reply
  6. Charlotte Sims

    March 14, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    5 stars
    Where did you get the bento boxes?

    Reply
    • Allison

      March 16, 2021 at 9:55 am

      https://www.planetbox.com/

      Reply
  7. Amanda

    August 25, 2021 at 8:01 am

    5 stars
    Very helpful for people new to the healthy died thing!

    Reply
  8. Jeanine Alves

    November 02, 2021 at 9:52 am

    All I wanna say is
    Thank you for so many great ideas!!

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 03, 2021 at 12:04 pm

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Reply
      • Tara

        January 12, 2022 at 4:33 am

        5 stars
        These ideas look great. Where did you get this great portion side containers that the lunch is in?

      • Allison

        January 15, 2022 at 8:15 am

        Planet Box.

  9. Gina

    January 04, 2022 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    These are such great ideas! Love the pasta salad one but they’re all great. Will be referring back to these when I get in a rut.

    Reply
  10. Kim

    January 04, 2022 at 11:36 am

    5 stars
    My child is long finished with school, but tempted to make these for myself!

    Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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