30 Healthy LunchBox Ideas
It is time to blow the dust off of that lunch box!
When you think about packing school lunches, do you find yourself saying…Ugh! What the heck is cutie pie going to eat today?
While I’m still working on a mama’s magic wand to make lunches for you, I have come up with a few ideas that might help you.
First of all, think about the principles of filling up the lunchbox:
Include some of each of the following everyday in the lunchbox.
Protein AND Fat– these are key for nourishment and slow burning energy– (Proteins provide building blocks for cutie pie’s body, little cutie pie is going to be able to FOCUS longer and hear all the amazing math facts, have even energy to hang with her friends, listen to Ms. Teacher, and get to that 3 o-clock hour without crashing)
Carbs – Kindling on the fire of energy to provide quicker burning energy. Great when COMBINED with fats and proteins.
Getting more specific and keeping it real
Real food is real nourishment.
Do you hear a crinkle-crinkle all around your food product. Nuh-uh….this is processed and means nutrients are altered and mediocre at best. Keep the food in its original form…cut chunks from a block of cheese, slice up an apple, cut up meat from a chicken breast, etc.
Here are some general ideas for each category mentioned above...you can pick from each.
Proteins – Meat, fish, eggs, nuts (if your school allows these), dairy
Fats – Butter, Olive oil, avocado, coconut oil and coconut milk, full-fat dairy,
Carbohydrates – Fruit, Veggies, Whole grains
Break it down…okay here are some of my favorite ideas
The Food:
Apples with nut butter or sunflower butter
Hard-boiled eggs
Leftover hamburger with cheese and veggies…say adios to the bun!
Bacon
Fritatta muffins made with veggies and ground beef.
Cheese and chicken rolled up together with lettuce leaf.
Rice and beans with butter or lard from pastured pork.
Veggie sticks (peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery) with hummus
Apple sauce with cinnamon (add melted butter for extra fuel)
Container of plain organic yogurt with a few drops of honey and berries on top.
Rice cracker sandwiches with butter in the middle.
Fruit: Pear slices, strawberries, oranges…you get the idea :)
Olives
Leftover fish piece from night before
Salmon croquettes/pancakes
Shredded carrots with olive oil and coconut oil.
Coconut milk smoothie with coconut milk, berries, vanilla, stevia (raw egg yolk and/or avocado slices for those that are brave).
Cheese chunks.
Celery with plain cream cheese.
Sausages without sugar added and salad on the side.
Popcorn with lots of butter and Celtic sea salt.
Apples or banana and peanut/almond butter.
Uncured salami
Cucumber chunks mixed with sour cream
Dates with sunbutter
Dried fruit without sugar added
The Beverage:
Water, water, water….plain, filtered water is always best!!!! Add a pinch of celtic sea salt or a drop of Trace Minerals for electrolytes.
Kombucha (bubbly drink that is healing…easy to make or found at Whole Foods)
Adaptogenic sports tea (great for hot weather and highly active kids)
Bonus…top favorites from my girls
Leftover sweet potato fries
Olives
Red pepper slices
Cheese chunks
Strawberries
Grapes
Oranges
Lavash sandwhiches with lettuce, butter, meat
Rice wraps with veggies and meat
Sushi rolls
