15 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

Turkey, Brie and Apple Sandwich on Raisin-Walnut Bread

Give your little one a tasty twist on the classic turkey sandwich. This turkey sandwich satisfies cravings for both sweet and savory tastes.

Get the full recipe: Turkey, Brie and Apple Sandwich on Raisin-Walnut Bread

Curried Chicken and Apple Lettuce Wraps

This wrap is a play on the regular and sometimes boring chicken salad sandwich, but without mayo and with the addition of sweet and crunchy apple and the spice of curry and turmeric.

Get the full recipe: Curried Chicken and Apple Lettuce Wraps

Skinny Tuna Sandwich on Sprouted Grain Bread

This healthy tuna sandwich is flavoured with fennel and lemon juice and garnished with pea sprouts and fresh cucumber.

Get the full recipe: Skinny Tuna Sandwich on Sprouted Grain Bread

Breakfast Sandwich with Smashed Avocado

These egg and avocado sandwiches are filled with protein – perfect for any long school day!

Get the full recipe: Breakfast Sandwiches with Smashed Avocado 

Frittata Sandwich

Bake up a frittata, slice into pieces and freeze alongside whole-grain bread for six servings of a healthy make-ahead lunch.

Get the full recipe: Frittata Sandwich

Avocado and Chicken Club Sandwich

This avocado and chicken club sandwich packs in lots of interesting flavours and textures. Crispy prosciutto replaces the usual bacon, and mashed avocado the butter. Adding a few leaves to a sandwich is a cunning way to get your kids to eat their greens.

Get the full recipe: Avocado and Chicken Club Sandwich

Chewy Date and Walnut Bars

These chewy snack bars are a special treat for lunch boxes as well as for a midday snack or coffee break. Only a little light margarine and oil are needed for the dough. Dates are added for natural sweetness, and walnuts and sunflower seeds provide extra texture. The result is both nutritious and delicious. Homemade snack bars are also less expensive than store-bought versions.

Get the full recipe: Chewy Date and Walnut Bars

Turkey Kebabs

These turkey kebabs are a great combination of flavours that are reminiscent of Moroccan spices. Make them as an appetizer on the weekend and then pack them up in kid-friendly containers for a perfect Monday lunch. Not only are they nutritious, but they’re also super-dippable-a bonus for any kid.

Get the full recipe: Turkey Kebabs

Tomato and Bread Salad with Herbed Chicken

People hesitate when Paul Finkelstein suggests his tomato and herbed chicken salad (a classic Italian dish called Panzanella), because he describes it as “soggy bread salad”-which is exactly what it is. But it’s delicious, with rich seasoning and diverse textures. The bread cubes act as sponges soaking up the juices of the tomatoes, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This is a true harvest salad that tastes best with flavourful, local tomatoes.

Get full recipe: Tomato and Bread Salad with Herbed Chicken

Niçoise-Style Salad in a Jar

Even the pickiest of eaters will be excited about bringing lunch in a jar to class.

Get the full recipe: Niçoise-Style Salad in a Jar 

Vegetable Tajine with Couscous

This is a great dish for this season, as any vege­table will work well. Be sure to stagger the addition of the veggies to the pot, starting with the ones that require more cooking time and finishing with the more tender varieties.

Get the full recipe: Vegetable Tajine with Couscous

Sushi Pockets

Sushi pockets are a quick lunch idea that are sure to please your budding foodie.

Get the full recipe: Sushi Pockets

Turkey Sausage Rolls with Mango Chutney

Kids love these simple sausage rolls. Using turkey sausage meat instead of pork sausage helps keep the fat content down.

Get the full recipe: Turkey Sausage Rolls with Mango Chutney

Dairy-Free Creamy Macaroni Bake

This healthy, creamy macaroni bake is a favourite among kids who crave macaroni and cheese but can’t have dairy. Cooking and pureeing the cauliflower gives the sauce a whiteness that makes it look like the traditional cream sauce.

Get the full recipe: Dairy-Free Creamy Macaroni Bake

Vegan Friendly Fig and Raspberry Rice Pudding

Don’t forget dessert! A luscious fig and raspberry compote tops this cinnamon- and lemon-infused rice pudding for the perfect dairy-free and vegan after-lunch treat.

Get the full recipe: Vegan and Dairy-Free Fig and Raspberry Rice Pudding

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