This post will have all the healthy school lunch ideas you’ll need to have your kids the healthiest they can be this school year without breaking the budget to do so. Plus a free meal planning printable!
When out kids are home over the summer, feeding them healthy balanced diets is easier and cheaper than when we have to pack a convenient lunch for them to take to school. The busyness that comes when school starts can put health on the back burner. With these cost effective lunch ideas, you won’t have to sacrifice health for convenience! Here are my go to healthy, cheap and easy lunches ideas!
Dairy Foods
Dairy foods are high in vitamins and protein. Packing these into your child’s lunch will ensure they stay energized and full through the day. Dairy should stay cool inside an insulated lunch box and a small ice pack will keep it even colder for a fresh lunch.
- yogurt
- string cheese
- baby bell cheese
- cream cheese mixed with ranch dip packets (great for dipping veggies or spreading on a wrap)
- Protein drinks (Fairlife is a favorite)
- Horizon chocolate or regular milk (milk is high in protein)
- cottage cheese with honey
Fruit and Veggies
Fruit is packed with healthy forms of carbohydrates, giving little brains the energy they need to function properly during the school day. Adding a pack or PB, hummus, dressing, or guacamole will give your children something easy and more filling to dip their vegetables in.
*You can always throw a few chelate chips into a little baggie of mixed fruit for their own portable “edible arrangement” snack!
- carrots
- cucumbers
- grape tomatoes
- celery
- bell peppers
- micro greens
- watermelon
- apples
- bananas
- grapes
- strawberries
- blue, black or raspberries
- sweet potatoe or regular potato fries
- kale chips
Proteins
Proteins packed into your kid’s lunch is what will keep them fuller for longer and give them everything they need to grow during this crucial phase of life. Try to aim for as much protein in their lunches as you can! I like to pick 2-3 items from this list for each lunch.
- beef jerkey
- pepperoni or salami
- deli meat slices rolled up
- protein shakes
- turkey sticks
- beef sticks
- nuts
- trail mix
- protein bars
- Hard boiled eggs
- No bake energy bites
- pumpkin seeds with chocolate chips
- egg bites
- turkey bacon
Sandwiches and sandwich alternatives
The star of each kid’s lunch is the sandwich! They can however become a bit mundane, so here are a ton of sandwich alternatives that will satisfy your child through to dinner. Consider if you can use leftovers from dinner to either turn it into a sandwich or pack it as is!
- Peanut butter and jally
- turkey and cheese
- ham and cheese
- tomato and mayo sandwich
- peanut butter and honey
- peanut butter and fluffernutter
- cucumber and cream cheese
- mozzarella sticks
- chicken nuggets or popcorn chicken
- leftover pizza
- small frozen pizzas
- travel soups
- DIY punchable with cracker stacks, cheese, and deli meat
- taquitos and salsa dip
- Eggo waffles with PB or other toppings
- grilled cheese
- bagel with cream cheese or butter packet
Other snacks
Trying to avoid as many processed foods as possible, here is a list of low processed snacks that I like to keep in stock for my kids lunches. Most of these can be bought in bulk and Sam’s Club or Costco.
- homemade cookies (much healthier than packaged)
- fruit strips
- bark thins chocolate
- rice cakes
- freeze dried fruit
- apple sauce packs
- frozen fruit with honey
- avocado packets
- hummus packets
- cereal with a travel milk
- flavored seaweed
- pudding packs
- pretzels (plain or flavored)
- frozen greek yogurt bars
- homemade rice crispy treats
- animal crackers
- popcorn
Here is a free 4 week meal planner for kid’s lunches!
Packing lunches during the school year is all about ease, convenience, and keeping our kids as healthy as possible! Using this list to build the best school lunches, your kids will be well fed, stay full, and grow like weeds in body and mind.
The Best Healthy Meal Plan for School Lunches
