Need quick, healthy lunch ideas for your little one’s lunchbox? Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s nutritionists share delicious tips to keep your child full during the school day.
- Try a turkey sandwich with two slices of low-sodium turkey, one slice of mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato and a medium apple.
- Try using a large cookie cutter to cut the sandwich into shapes!
- Pack hummus with wholegrain pita bread, yogurt or yogurt dip, cucumbers, and sliced oranges.
- Try a quesadilla with cheese and beans. Send salsa and guacamole for dipping.
- Tired of sandwiches? Try a veggie wrap with hummus or ranch dressing. Add edamame and a clementine.
- Send water or low-fat milk to keep them hydrated!
Limited time to put together a full meal? Pack a variety of sides to fill them up. Try:
- Sliced tomato with low-fat cheese
- Peanut butter or almond butter with apple slices or on whole grain crackers
- Yogurt with fruit and granola
- Hard boiled eggs
- Baby carrots and ranch with pretzels and applesauce
- Fruit cups or fruit slices
- String cheese or cheese wheels
- Pickles
Leftovers also make great lunches! Make it easy on yourself and make extra of the yummy foods your children like to eat at dinner time. Try:
- Pasta with chicken, broccoli and a little olive oil
- Beans and corn with diced tomatoes, chicken and avocado chunks topped with 1 to 2 tablespoons of their favorite dressing.
Looking for some healthier snacks to pack? Try some of the options below.
- Baked chips or tortillas
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Low-fat pudding cups
- Granola bars
- Snap peas
- Cheese and whole grain crackers
For more healthy lunch and snack tips, visit Connecticut Children’s website.
About Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
As a parent, your number one priority is keeping your child well. As Connecticut’s only free-standing children’s hospital, ours is too.