It’s hectic to raise children. You’re also expected to provide nutritious school lunches five days a semaine, in addition to all the project management you need to handle with their busy schedules. It’s a lot. We thought it would be a good idea to make your life easier by compiling a list of healthy, quick lunch ideas.
We included a variety of healthy packaged products to make school lunches easy. There are also lunch ideas that can be used at home for children who are doing virtual learning.
School Lunch Ideas for Younger Kids
Ham & Cheese Roll-Up Bento Box
This is a great option for easy lunches for kids. All you need to do is combine a slice of deli cheese and deli ham. Then add healthy side dishes like pre-cut vegetables or packaged snacks.
For school lunches, we love Japanese-style bento boxes. The separate containers allow for variety and prevent food from touching. This is a great benefit for picky eaters.
Stouffer’s Microwavable Meals
Is Stouffers included in this roundup of healthy and quick school lunches? Absolutely! Absolutely!
Stouffer’s lasagna, with meat sauce and frozen chicken, is a great option for extra protein. Feeling guilty? You don’t have to feel guilty – each meal has less than 500 calories.
Leftover Bacon
Because they are quick and filling, BLTs make a great choice for school lunches. You can also use bacon from a weekend breakfast to make them even quicker. Turkey bacon makes them even more nutritious. Add ranch dressing and carrots to complete the meal.
Canned Soup
When making a quick meal, canned and microwaveable soups are the best options. The classic chicken noodle is a favourite of kids. You can add cooked vegetables to it without them even knowing.
Blueberry & Banana Toast With Nut Butter
This twist on a classic PB&J is based on the tried-and-true combination of carbohydrate, protein + fat, + fibre to keep children full. The fruit toppings add sweetness and nutrition. Peanut butter is not allowed at your school. You can substitute it with almond or sunflower seed butter.
Cheesy Quesadilla
Cheese quesadillas can be prepared in a few minutes and are easy to prepare. For extra protein, add black beans or rotisserie chicken to the recipe. Add cooked bell peppers and fresh spinach to give it a little sweetness. Quesadillas can be prepared hot or cold and are great for school lunches.
Crispy chicken and Hummus Pitas
This is a quick and easy way to make a quick lunch. Put some crispy chicken in a pita, and then add a drizzle of hummus (or beet hummus, if you’re feeling extra healthy). You can also substitute chicken nuggets for fried chicken to make this even simpler and healthier.
School Lunch Ideas For Older Children & Teens
Healthy Choice Bowls
Healthy Choice offers healthy lunches, dinners, and snacks that conform to FDA guidelines regarding cholesterol, fat, saturated, and sodium. These meals are quick and easy to prepare in the microwave. Some even come in plant-based fibre packaging, which helps reduce plastic waste.
Cold Miso Sesame Noodles
This is one rare leftover meal that tastes even better the next day. This dish can also be enjoyed cold, which is great for students without a microwave.
Ready Pac Bistro Salads
It can be difficult to get out the door in the mornings. These salads can be grabbed and gone in a snap.
Classic Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Rotisserie chicken salad is the Best Choice for a quick gourmet sandwich. You only need to combine a few ingredients and have a filling, quick lunch. The most tedious part of this recipe is the corralling of grapes as they move around the cutting board.
Hillshire’s Fancy Lunchables
This Hillshire grab-and-go option is ideal for budding chefs who prefer their charcuterie in a Lunchable format. It’s okay to order one for yourself and a glass of wine.
Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Pasta salad can take a little longer to prepare upfront (this one takes about 30 minutes). However, making enough on Sunday night will last for 5 school days.
Amy’s Bean & Rice Burrito
Amy’s plant-based frozen burritos are hearty with a combination of organic pinto beans and brown rice. They’re also dairy-free, making them an excellent school lunch option for vegans.