Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids
(And Adults Too!)

Coming up with healthy lunch ideas for kids doesn't have to be boring or frustrating. This guest post from The Conscious Caravan has plenty of inspiration.

Make It About Choices

The key to turning a picky eater into an open minded, healthy eater is choices: Lots and lots of choices, all being presented over and over. Picky kids tend to be resistant to change so even if they don't eat the food the first 20 times, it eventually becomes a friendly food just because it's been on the table consistently for a long enough period of time and they've come to "know" the food before even tasting it.

The other obvious part is to eat with your child, the same foods, but more variety so they see you eating and enjoying all that is offered.

Make It Fun

The other key to creating healthy lunch ideas for kids is keeping food fun. Kids love scooping, serving themselves and putting foods together. So, instead of making them a grilled cheese, set out a sandwich panini bar with bread and cheese and lots of healthy fillings (spreads, roasted veggies, different cheeses, lettuce, etc) and allow them to construct their sandwich and then you can cook it up for them.

This is also a great time to play restaurant. I say to my kids all the time, "Welcome to my restaurant. Here is your invisible menu. We have everything in the world. Our specials today are: make your own taco salad, create your own pasta and sauce, wacky Wednesday weeds [that's seaweed], roll your own "sushi"." Or whatever else we have lots of in the fridge. This encourages them to come up with food ideas too. (They like to try and trick me with "I'd like eyeballs and mushy lips".... No problem, a cup of grapes and banana slices coming up!)

As for actual food combos, these are some of our friend's and family's favorite healthy lunch ideas for kids:

• Edamame in the shell
• Dried nori
• Raw carrot chips
• Green smoothies
• Leftovers Buffet Bar
• Tuna eaten with celery
• Flavored hummus dips and raw veggies
• Apples cored and cut in half, stuffed with a mixture of PB, granola and chopped fruit, and put back together.
• Fruit kabobs
• Anything we'd normally have for breakfast
• Design your own quesadilla bar
• Italy night/pasta bar
• Soups in bread bowls with roasted pumpkin seeds "croutons"
• Any sandwich cut into shapes. Especially triangles arranged to look like a boat and fruit set up to be a rainbow.

Tip: Another thing I do as an alternative to healthy lunch ideas for kids is dedicate one shelf in my fridge to all-you-can-eat snacks for the kids: Chopped carrots and celery will keep for a month if covered with water in an airtight container; fresh granola; yogurts; home made energy bars; fruits; cheeses; dips. Then, the kids know they can always get a fresh, healthy snack without having to wait for me.

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Wendy Taylor is a passionate whole foods chef for The Conscious Caravan, and advocates healthy, whole, and Non-GMO foods that are affordable, easy and family-approved.

Ready To Take More Sustainable Baby Steps?

Choosing healthy lunch ideas for kids is a great way to live sustainably with your family.

When you're ready for a few more steps check out the articles below.

Whatever step you take, remember to have fun!