While we are concerned about the nutrients, the taste is everything for our little ones. We know how challenging it can be to feed healthy foods into our kids' systems. But, who said nutrition and taste cannot go hand in hand? If you believe in that, too, then we are here to bust the myth with some healthy unique lunch ideas that your kids will actually eat.
1. Bap With Egg, Mayonnaise and Lettuce Filling
If you are looking forward to packing a healthy lunch for school, then bap with egg, mayonnaise and lettuce can become your favorite recipe. Easy to make and filled with the goodness of multiple micro and macronutrients, it is an ideal lunch for kids.
To make this, you have to crush a boiled egg and mix it with mayonnaise. Sprinkle some pepper to impart a flavor that can pump up your kid’s taste buds. Fill the bap with this juicy mix by topping it with some shredded lettuce. It is a clever way to stuff some ‘green’ into your kid’s lunch box that is rich in various vitamins and minerals. Thank us later!
2. Pinwheels Sandwiches
Exploring varieties with pinwheels will never leave you short of lunch ideas for kids. If you have tortillas with you, then you can come up with a delicious lunch for your little one by experimenting with different combinations of other ingredients. If you are worried about the filling, then let us tell you that you can add any vegetable, fruit, fish, meat or an exciting combo of all of them. Add some mayonnaise, cheese or cream to hold the pinwheels and lure your munchkin to a super creative, healthy lunch on the table.
3. Pasta
Some of the healthy lunch ideas that never get boring are pasta recipes. One of the simplest ways to cook pasta is to boil and keep it aside, sauté veggies in oil or butter for a few minutes, mix them up and add cheese. Topping it with oregano, chili flakes and other herbs can take your kid’s lunch a notch higher on the ‘health meter. If your kid likes it saucy, then pamper them with red sauce or white sauce pasta. While tomato puree can form the base for your red sauce, milk and flour are all you need to prepare the much-loved white sauce. Be it the tomato puree or milk and flour, stir them on low flame for a few minutes and then add the veggies and pasta. Your lip-smacking healthy lunch for school is ready!
4. Chicken Salad Wrap
Let us spill the tea about making your little one eat all the veggies you want with this recipe. A chicken salad wrap can easily qualify as one of the healthiest lunch ideas for kids. With loads of protein from chicken, tons of fiber from the whole meal wrap, and sufficient vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, it is a magical blend of health and taste.
Bake boneless chicken breast and chop it into small pieces. Mix it well with yogurt. This adds a healthy dose of probiotics to your kid’s diet. You can, however, use mayonnaise in its place if your child favors it more. Spice it up with chili powder, curry powder, pepper any or other spice of your choice.
Spread the filling on the wrap and top it with grated veggies like carrots, cucumber, and celery. Roll the wrap and pack their lunch. While the saucy chicken steals the spotlight, the refreshing veggies find their way into your kid’s system and work to build a strong and healthy body.
5. Chickpea Salad
Prepping lunch for kids every morning can be taxing. For days when the chef in you goes into a slumber, here is an easy-to-make, quick lunch idea for your kid. Mash chickpeas and add chopped onions, celery, cucumber, bell pepper, parsley, carrots and other veggies of your choice. Add mayonnaise to make it a little juicy and salt and pepper for seasoning. You can serve it with flatbread, as filling in a sandwich, or along with long-cut veggies and fruits.
6. Tuna Mayonnaise Sandwich
This protein-rich tuna mayonnaise sandwich is absolutely an easy-to-prepare meal but finds its way into the list of healthy lunch ideas that kids will actually eat. All you need is a tin of tuna and some mayonnaise. Mix them up properly. Season with salt and pepper and stuff them between two pieces of bread to make a sandwich. If you want to surprise your child with a pop of color, then go ahead and add sweetcorn, finely chopped onions, carrots, capsicums and other veggies that you desire.
7. Asian Rice Salad
Give your little one the goodness of carbs, vitamins and minerals, wrapped in a beautiful concoction of flavors through the Asian rice salad. Add sugar, salt, and pepper to sesame and peanut oil and whisk properly. Pour over a bowl of cooked rice. Steam the veggies your kid likes or the ones you want them to have for the day. Add the vegetables to the rice bowl and serve your kid an appetizing, healthy meal.
8. Avocado Toast
This is the most basic recipe in the list of healthy lunch ideas. However, nothing can beat its taste and health benefits. Toast the bread to make it as crunchy as your kid loves it. Mash the avocados and squeeze a few drops of lemon to add some tanginess. Spread it over the slices of bread. You can go creative with the toppings or ask your kid if they would love cherry tomatoes or bacon in their sandwich for lunch.
9. Sweetened Salad
After a sweltering humid morning, or sports day at school, your kid might want to go easy on their stomach. For those days, this sweetened salad might do the trick for them. Prepare the dressing by blending honey, sugar and lemon. The flavorful dressing can make anyone drool. Drizzle it over a mixture of diced fruits and serve your kids the tastiest and most colorful lunch ever.
10. Pizza Wraps
Pizzas are a kid’s favorite. So why not lure your child into this meal that looks like pizza slices but is way healthier than that? Toast the tortillas well in an oven, spread cheese and other seasonings, and bake until the cheese melts. You can either fold them to form exclusively creamy wrap sandwiches or stuff your kid’s favorite pizza toppings before folding them.
Making the little ones eat healthy foods might seem like a herculean task. But some color here and some flavors there can do the magic for you. Start with our recipes and see if your little picky eater clears the plate earlier than before!