Lunch Box Ideas
Although school meals are now a lot healthier, many kids prefer to take a packed lunch, so it’s important they get the same level of nutritional goodness. If you check out our Top 10 Healthy Hints, you’ll see that a healthy balanced diet should contain a variety of the main food groups: bread and starch, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and other protein, milk and dairy produce, plus a moderate amount of healthy fats and sugar. And don’t forget to include a bottle of water or low sugar drink in the lunch box.
So to help you mix’n’match some delicious and healthy lunch box treats, here’s our choice in each food group:
Bread & Starch
Wholemeal bread, Granary roll, Multigrain bread, Wholemeal pitta, Low fat pizza slice, Crispbread, Tortilla wrap, Wholewheat naan, Low fat, pasta salad, Reduced fat crisps, Kettle chips, Breadsticks
Fruit & Veg
Celery sticks, Raw carrot, Cucumber sticks, Raw mini mushrooms, Red pepper, Cherry tomatoes, Sweetcorn, Mini gem lettuce , Low fat coleslaw, Fruit salad, Fruit snack packs, Melon pieces, Pineapple pieces , Mango slices, Small apple, Pear, Strawberries, Raspberries, Clementines, Grapes, Small banana, Dried apricots, Raisin box, Unsweetened juice
Meat & Protein
Wafer thin ham, Wafer thin beef, Corned beef slice, Cooked chicken, Turkey breast, Chicken tikka pieces, Mini pork pie, Mini scotch egg, Cocktail sausages, Tuna in brine, Hard boiled egg, Egg mayonnaise, Tuna pate, Hummus dip, Tuna & sweetcorn mix, Red bean salad, Brazil nuts, Walnut halves
Milk & Dairy
Grated cheese, Cottage cheese, Cheese triangle, Cheddar fingers, Cheese slices, Yoghurt pot, Chocolate milk, Banana milk, Fruit smoothies, Semi-skimmed milk, Low fat rice pudding, Yoghurt corners
Sweet Things
Fun size chocolate, Cereal bar, Mini chocolate bar, Currant bun, Cheesecake slice, Chocolate spread, High fruit jam, Low sugar jelly, Chocolate finger, Mini brownie , Fairy cake, Sweet popcorn
Not all of our lunch ideas are exactly low fat or reduced sugar, but if you buy miniature pack sizes and break down large purchases into small portions, you’ll add variety and flavour without giving kids too much of a good thing.