10 easy lunch ideas for school

1. Sandwiches: The good old staple for any meal – sandwiches are easy and can be tampered with to give a delicious and nutritious meal. Some varieties – chicken salad, egg salad, ham, chicken breast, burgers and tomato and cheese.

2. Wraps: are again very versatile, easy to make and can be eaten well cold. Ham /sliced chicken breast and cheese with lettuce, left over cooked chicken, or simply sliced peppers, lettuce and avocados and tomatoes. You can spice it up with a different sauces like BBQ, ranch or Ceaser and cheeses ( tex mex)

3. Noodles: Another favorite – be it pasta or simply plain old Chinese noodles, depending on what your kids eat. Again the options to add veggies or diced ham or sausages will add variety.

4. Soups: Nothing like the good old hot cup of soup to cheer you up on a dreary winter day. Try tomato, chicken noodle or sweet corn.

5. Pizza: Another favorite: make your own pizza at home –using store bought pizza base/pita bread, tortilla or naan bread. Use a variety of healthy toppings like spinach, tomatoes, ribboned zucchini, chicken, feta cheese or whatever topping is available at home. Use store bought pizza sauce, home made Alfredo sauce or pesto. Kids love pizzas hot or cold.

6. Chicken strips / nuggets: Another favorite –especially if your kid’s school allows the use of microwave for reheating.

7. Taco – Tacos are easy to assemble especially if you have the cooked ground meat ready in the fridge.

8. Sushi: My son learnt how to make sushi at school and I was amazed at how easy it was to assemble. Try using imitation crab (they are safer) and cucumber and carrots. Sticky rice can be refrigerated for a day.

9. Rice: Add chicken, add veggies, with soya for a Chinese flavor or cheese for an Italian touch.

10. Lasagna, frozen pastas, noodles in a bowl (not healthy, but last minute option), chili, taco soup, and fish sticks – all work well in case of emergency.

20 great snack ideas

1. Fruits: Nothing beats fruits for a snack. Sliced or whole apples, oranges (Clementine), bananas, or diced mangoes all make excellent snacks for the kids.

2. Vegetables with dips: Carrots with ranch is also liked by majority of kids.

3. Chewy bars: It is always handy to have them at home to bring a variety to the lunch kit.

4. Crackers and cheese: Cheddar cheese cubed with 4-5 crackers are always appreciated and enjoyed. Cheese strings, or cubed cheese are a healthy alternative too.

5. Yogurt: My kids love yogurt tubes – although at times I do wonder if paying the premium for the convenience is worth it. Yogurt drinks, or yogurt cups are also healthy.

6. Quesadillas, Crispy rice squares: There is a cool recipe for the same on our blog site.

7. Chocolate or oatmeal with raisin cookies. There are some great products out there like Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin, 3-Ounce Individually Wrapped Cookies (Pack of 12)


8. Sliced cake: Bake a chocolate or basic vanilla cake and you are good to go for a week.

9. Cupcakes/Muffins – homemade. You control the size when you make them at home and there are some cool recipes for healthier muffins.

10. Baked potato Chips/pretzels: Sometimes you just have to give and go with what pleases their palette.


11. Pepperoni sticks: I am not a big fan of this and save it as a last alternative

12. Whole wheat tortillas with salsa: You get your serving of grains and vegetables.

13. Handful of popcorn: Although this is controversial, it is a fun snack provided it is handed out in limit. You don’t want them to fill up on air!

14. Dried fruits –like apricots or mangoes: These are good just by themselves or with nuts. Some great buys are Peeled Snacks Organic Fruit Picks Variety Pack


15. Home made trail mixture –mixing whole wheat cereals like cheerios with dried fruits and pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

16. Eggs: A healthy snack for growing kids, full of proteins and vitamins. Give them boiled or stuff it in halved pita bread with salsa.

17. Olives: If your kid loves olives – it is again a good and healthy snack. There are a variety of stuffed olives to choose from.

18. Baked goodies: If you do want to indulge your kid once in a while, try giving a square of Nanaimo bar, cream puff or any other baked good.

19. Tuna, mayo and cracker snack kit.

20. Rice Chips , banana chips, jello with fruits or plain chocolate pudding is also popular.You can also try Sensible Foods Roasted Edamame Crunch Dried Snack, Lunch box size, 0.75-Ounce (Pack of 24)


And to go with all these delicious snacks in these lunch kits for kids