Good Healthy Lunch

Healthy Lunch Ideas

Tired of packing the same old lunch for your kids?

Good food habits set early in childhood can last a lifetime. Lunches provide around one third of our daily nutritional needs, so it’s important to put some thought and planning into them.

Here are some tips on how to prepare a healthy lunchbox that your child will eat and enjoy.

1. Include a wide variety of foods

For a balanced diet they need fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, protein and dairy

2. Vary the types of bread

For example, pitta bread, bagels, wholemeal rolls – keep a stock in the freezer

3. Cook extra rice or pasta in the evening

These can make great salads. Try a pasta salad or filled tortillas

4. Brightly coloured bottles can make plain water more interesting!

Fluids are important for children – up to 6 cups of fluid should be encouraged daily. Milk and plain water are the best options.

5. Get your child involved in packing lunches

Let them help choose some element of their lunch. Pick a colourful lunchbox or let them decorate one with stickers

6. Try out new ideas at teatime or the weekend

Children often need to see and taste new foods several times before they accept them, so try them out before including them in a lunchbox

7. Try to offer different foods every day

They may just want to stick with their favourites but encouraging them to eat a variety of foods is really important.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Easy Lunch Ideas You Can Make In Under 5 Minutes

Bright rainbow colored salad with grilled chicken on a dark plate set on a white countertop is just one of 35 easy lunch ideas and recipes.

Breakfast might be the first meal of the day, but easy lunch ideas are just as important. Between picking the easiest option (cold leftovers!) and dreaming up lunch ideas in the middle of the workday, it’s no wonder we need that afternoon cup of coffee so desperately. Despite what you may think, eating a healthy, delicious lunch every day doesn’t mean you have to devote your entire Sunday to meal prep, and we’re here to prove it. Keep reading for easy lunch ideas and recipes you can make in a matter of minutes.

Mermaid Veggie Bowl

Like a poke bowl, this veggie-friendly lunch is easily customizable with whatever chopped veggies you have on hand.

Watermelon Radish Salad

Watermelon radishes receive the name for their pink hue and green exterior alone. Flavor-wise, they are the opposite of sweet. The earthy, spicy veg goes best with a simple balsamic vinaigrette.

Double Grilled Cheese

This version has cheese both on the inside and outside of the bread for the absolute best grilled cheese possible.

Easy Quinoa Salad

If you have leftover quinoa, add in all your fave fruits (dried or fresh), nuts, and herbs for a psuedograin salad that will satiate.

Grilled Fluffernutter

As long as you have all the ingredients on hand, you can certainly whip up this nostalgic bite in 5 minutes.

Shaved-Egg Avocado Toast

Beef up your usual avocado toast with a shaved hard-boiled egg, salt, and pepper. After noshing on that, you’ll have all the energy you need to conquer the rest of your day.

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Juicy grapes, tart apples, and cranberries is comfort food between two slices.

Easy Chickpea Spinach Salad

This is one amazing salad in terms of taste, nutritional value, and meal prep-ability.

Quick Spinach-Artichoke Turkey Panini

This panini is packed with fresh turkey, spinach-artichoke dip, and sun-dried tomatoes. Buy pre-made dip and already sliced turkey, and lunch basically makes itself.

Pear + Blue Cheese Flatbread

The combination of sweet pears with salty blue cheese and prosciutto (on a piece of naan) makes this a toaster-oven lunch you’ll crave even after you’re done eating it.

Sweet Potato Tostadas

Make this mouthwatering lunch extra easily with store-bought tostadas, which you spread with refried beans and your choice of taco toppings, such as shredded sweet potato and grated cheese.

HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS!

25 Healthy Delicious Lunch Ideas! | Vegan Spring Rolls with BEST EVER Peanut Sauce! These vegan spring rolls can be made ahead and stored for healthy lunches on the go! #springrolls #veganspringrolls #healthylunches #freshspringrolls #howtostorespringrolls #howtomakespringrolls

Fresh Spring Rolls with BEST EVER Peanut Sauce! These fresh vegan spring rolls can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for healthy meals and packable lunches on the go! The peanut sauce is divine.

25 Healthy Lunch Ideas: This Vegan Tuna Salad is made with hearts of palm, red onion, pickle & fresh herbs. A delicious vegan alternative, and made without chickpeas.

This vegan, Hearts of Palm “Tuna” Salad is made with hearts of palm, red onion, pickle & fresh herbs. A delicious vegan alternative to one of our favorite sandwiches.

This Rainbow Chopped Salad is crunchy, colorful and nutritious! Tossed with a lemony herbed greek yogurt dressing, it is easy to make and easy to adapt. Perfect for meal prep, this salad keeps for 4 days in the fridge.

This Moroccan Red Lentil Quinoa Soup is made with simple ingredients, easy to make and full of delicious flavor! Make this in an Instant Pot or stove top. #lentilsoup #veganlentilsoup #vegansoup #quinoasoup #moroccansoup #redlentilsoup

This vegan soup recipe- Moroccan Red Lentil Quinoa Soup is hearty, flavorful, and made with healthy ingredients. It is fast and easy to make and can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. One of my favorite make-ahead vegan soups!

20 Delicious Healthy Lunches! Vegan Banh Mi Bowl with Sriracha Tofu, rice noodles, pickled carrots and radishes, crunchy cucumber and cabbage and a creamy vegan spicy Bahn Mi dressing! #bahnmi #veganbowl #eatclean #veganbowls #plantbased #cleaneating #eatclean #buddhabowls #healthybowl #noodlebowl #vegan #veganbowl #bahnmibowl #noodles

Vegan Banh Mi Noodle Bowls with Sriracha Tofu, rice noodles, pickled carrots and radishes, crunchy cucumber and cabbage and a creamy vegan spicy Bahn Mi dressing. Make these ahead for the busy work week- a healthy delicious lunch idea! Here are 20 more VEGAN Buddha Bowls!

Spirulina Sea Salad is pure superfood for the body. This healthy salad is made with dulse, kelp noodles, fresh veggies and Spirulina Dressing, keep it vegan or add ahi or smoked Salmon! #spirulina #dulse #kelpnoodles

Nutrient-dense Spirulina Sea Salad is pure superfood for the body. This healthy salad is made with dulse, kelp noodles, fresh veggies and flavorful Spirulina Dressing, keep it vegan or add ahi or smoked Salmon!

Quick Vegan Chili - loaded up with healthy veggies and beans, this deep and complex recipe will even convert meat-eaters! Make a big batch on Sunday, then serve it during the busy workweek! | www.feastingathome.com

This Quick Vegan Chili – is loaded up with healthy veggies and beans, with deep and complex flavors that meat-eaters will even enjoy! Make a big batch on Sunday, then serve it during the busy work week!

20 Delicious Healthy Lunches! |Spicy Lentil Wrap with Tahini Sauce - This easy vegan lentil wrap is full of crunchy raw veggies like carrots, beets, and cabbage with a spicy Sriracha Tahini sauce spooned over top. Simple, energiz

Lentil Wrap with Spicy Tahini Sauce – This easy vegan lentil wrap is full of crunchy raw veggies like carrots, beets, and cabbage with a spicy Sriracha Tahini sauce spooned over top. Simple, energizing and easy. This vegan lunch is one of my favorites!

20 Delicious Healthy Lunches! | White Bean & Tuna Salad with arugula, radishes, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette- a simple pantry salad that can be made quickly! #tunasalad #whitebeans #tunarecipes #salad #healthysalad #tuscansalad #healthylunch #healthyluncs

This Tuscan White Bean & Tuna Salad with arugula, radishes, tomatoes and a simple balsamic vinaigrette is high in protein and low in carbs. Loaded up with healthy veggies, it is a fast and healthy lunch recipe made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! Sub more white beans for the tuna for an easy vegan option.

A simple vegan recipe for Curry Chickpea Salad, that can be turned into a wrap with spinach and sprouts. A healthy vegan lunch idea! #veganwrap #currychickpeawrap

Vegan Curry Chickpea Salad with Toasted Coconut, which can be turned into wraps with spinach and sprouts. Make the vegan salad ahead, then use during the busy week in wraps, tacos or over greens.

Curried Zucchini Soup with ginger and mint. A fast and easy vegan-adaptable soup that is healthy and flavorful.

This Curried Zucchini Soup with ginger and mint is easily vegan-adaptable. A fast and easy veggie-based soup that can be made ahead, reheated and full of amazing flavor. Perfect for packed lunches!

Rainbow Veggie Hummus is not only a great appetizer, it's a great lunch! Truth be told, I have this for lunch more than I care to admit. :) The hummus a delicious vehicle for most veggies I have on hand and it leaves me feeling satisfied without getting too tired. High in fiber and nutrients, this vegan lunch is easily packable.

Rainbow Veggie Hummus is not only a great appetizer, it’s a great lunch! Truth be told, I have this for lunch more than I care to admit. 🙂 The hummus a delicious vehicle for most veggies I have on hand- carrots, jicama, cucumbers, green beans, radishes, tomatoes- and it leaves me feeling satisfied without getting too full and tired. High in fiber and nutrients, this vegan lunch is easily packable.

20 HEALTHY LUNCHES! |Spring Goddess Sandwich with herby chickpea salad, crunchy carrots & radishes, cucumber, avocado and sprouts. Vegan and Gluten-free adaptable! #vegansandwich #greengoddess #greengodesssandwich #bagelsandwich #chickpeasalad #healthylunches

Spring Goddess Sandwich ( or wrap) with make-ahead, smashed chickpea salad, crunchy carrots & radishes, cucumber, avocado and sprouts. Vegan and Gluten-free adaptable! A fast and healthy lunch!

20 HEALTHY LUNCHES! | Soba noodles tossed in the most flavorful Superfood Pesto! Vegan and GF adaptable! #bento #lunchbox #growuplunchbox #superfoods #pesto #soba #kalepesto #healthylunch #vegan #veganlunch #healthylunches