If you’re a parent, you know the struggle. You want your children to eat healthy foods – voluntarily, if possible. So, what does it take to achieve that? Mostly, it’s providing food options that are a combination of healthy and tasty – with bright and appealing presentation playing a starring role.

As you plan your child’s school lunches, make sure to focus on key nutrients that growing minds and bodies need, including 

  • Protein – to fill bellies and help prevent junk food cravings later

  • Grains – for energy and focus

  • Dairy – contributes to healthy bones and overall development

  • Fresh Fruit & Vegetables – excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals

By doing this, your school lunches provide what they need to concentrate and focus on the rest of the school day. The cherry on top? You’re helping them develop good eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Here are some fun, kid-friendly school lunch options to consider:

Mains

  • Sandwich or tortilla wrap – using hummus or smashed avocado (instead of mayo)

  • Chicken/turkey meatballs

  • Pasta salad

  • Chicken noodle soup

  • Create a “power bowl” with rice/pasta, protein, veggies, nuts & avocado

Vegetables

  • Use skewers, shredders, or a crinkle-cut knife to make eating veggies fun!

  • Choose whatever your child likes best: broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, etc.

  • Make cucumber “sandwiches”: cucumber slices with cream cheese (mixed with everything bagel seasoning) between them

  • Crinkle-cut bell peppers as “fries”

  • Provide a veggie dip: ranch, hummus, yogurt, peanut butter

Fruits

  • Popular choices include grapes, blueberries, cherries (pitted, if you like), bananas, strawberries, oranges, apples, cherry tomatoes, and applesauce

 Snacks

  • Hard-boiled egg, cut in half

  • Use fun-shaped cookie cutters on cheese & salami; serve with crackers

  • Cheese sticks or rounds

  • Nuts, Chex Mix, pretzel sticks, animal crackers

 Let your child’s palate be the guide to a healthy school lunch combo that makes you both happy.

For personalized help devising a school lunch food plan that works best for you and the whole family, consult registered dietitian Jamie Schlifstein in Boca Raton, Florida, at (561) 558-7786. As a mom herself, Jamie can help make sure you’re feeding your kids in the best way possible.