Back to school already? Start the year with a healthy lunch box
Published: Aug 9, 2018By Lisa Greene
So you’re still just trying to get used to the idea of school starting on a Friday and you have no idea what to pack in your kid’s lunch.
That’s okay…because we’re back with our third annual list of healthy school lunches.
All our recipes are from our own food blogger and dietitian, Jamie Vespa, MS, RD, LD/N. Vespa is a former Tampa General Hospital dietitian who’s now assistant nutrition editor at Cooking Light magazine. (You can check out more of her recipes for TGH Health News and her blog, Dishing Out Health.)
You’ll see these are packed with fresh flavors that kids actually like – from carrots to cinnamon to coconut. There are fun takes on kids’ favorites, including pizza and tacos.
Here are a few of our kid-friendly recipes that are healthy, too:
Fun Finger Foods
Because every kid likes to eat with their fingers.
5-Minute Avocado Green Goddess Dip
Chive-Corn Fritters with Roasted Zucchini Salsa
Thai-Roasted Cauliflower Pizza
Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes with Miso Ketchup
Turmeric Quinoa Falafel with Feta Yogurt Dip
Last Night’s Leftovers
Here are some quick meals you can make for dinner, then pack in your kid’s lunch box the next day. (Bonus: a few tips from our experts on how busy parents can still dish up homemade meals.)
Sweet and Sour Thai Chicken Bowls
30-Minute Mushroom and Lentil Tacos
30-Minute Orange Basil Chicken with Coconut Rice
Vegetarian Options
For all those kids who don’t like eating their animal friends.
Vegetarian Mushroom Meatballs in Olive-Tomato Sauce
Honey-Soy Glazed Tofu with Carrot-Ginger Sauce
Watermelon and Tomato-Basil Salad
Sweet Treats
These are desserts you don’t have to feel guilty about.
Whole-Grain Pumpkin-Pecan Blondies
No-Bake Coconut Cashew Cherry Squares
Carrot-Cardamom Bread with Cinnamon Cashew Cream
Gingerbread Protein Donuts with Cinnamon-Maple Frosting
Need more brown-bag ideas? Check out our lists from the past two years: