I feel like we've been in a lunch rut lately. Josie eats a PB&J on whole wheat with either a yogurt or a banana every day. I mix it up a little more for Caroline, since she is a better eater, but both girls could use a little more variety and some exposure to new foods.
So, armed with pen and paper, off I went to the internet. After doing a quick Google search, I landed on lots of blogs with ideas for healthy toddler/preschool lunches. Well -- links to ideas. Then if I clicked on the link, it took me to a list of other links, and so on. I started to get annoyed. Seems like some mommies had a case of Lazy Blogger syndrome! In my frustration, I decided to create a post myself about healthy, budget friendly toddler lunch ideas -- ideas that shy away from most processed kiddie foods -- and post a list (not endless links) on my own blog! I am not reinventing the wheel here... just compiling a list of good ideas in one place.
So, without further ado, I present to you: LUNCH.
(Ok, maybe a teeny bit more "ado." In my search for ideas, I came to realize that there doesn't have to be an "entree" (like a sandwich) with a couple smaller sides. You can really mix it up tapas style and have lots of choices, but in smaller portions, on one plate, or you can combine everything into one dish. The key here for me was to open my mind as to what my kid's plate can look like.)
And now: LUNCH.
- The classic PB&J. Boring I know, but you can't NOT have it on this list. You can make it cute by cutting it into shapes, strips, or using a cute little contraption like this Munchkin 3 Piece Silly Sandwich Cutter Set.
- Veggies (think grape tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, red pepper etc.) and ranch or catalina dressing
- Veggies and hummus
- Cut-up pita bread or unsalted pretzels and hummus
- Fruit salad with yogurt dip
- Peanut butter and banana on whole wheat
- Veggie & Cream Cheese "Pizza"
- Cottage cheese w/ fruit
- Grilled cheese w/ ham (or turkey)
- Grilled cheese w/ tomato
- Cucumber and cream cheese on whole wheat toast, cut into bites
- Grilled chicken and cheese quesadilla (add some small veggies too!)
- Olives (yes, olives!) (but remember to remove the pits)
- Rainbow fruit on skewers (this is a HUGE hit at our house, but can get pricey)
- Turkey and cheese roll-ups (just turkey, cheese, a tortilla and a thin spread of cream cheese or dressing
- Watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew cut out in letter shapes with this Ateco 26 Piece Alphabet Cutter Set
- Zucchini-Blueberry Muffins. These are VERY good.
- Grapes and cheese plate - try a couple varieties of each to broaden their palates!
- Trail mix - raisins or dried cranberries, chocolate chips, almond pieces, dried apples, banana chips, cheerios, goldfish crackers, etc.
- Macaroni and cheese with small pieces of lightly steamed broccoli mixed in
- Orzo and tomato sauce with spinach mixed in
- Veggie burgers (no bun) w/ ketchup for dipping
- String cheese cut into "coins"
- Chopped salad (romaine, hard boiled egg, cucumber, tomato, shredded cheese, small bites of broccoli all tossed lightly in salad dressing)
- Scrambled eggs w/ cheese (add in peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, etc.)
- Baked zucchini chips or sweet potato chips
- Tuna w/ diced cucumber and tomato in light mayo, served with whole wheat crackers
- Pickles, cheddar cheese cubes, whole wheat crackers
- Blueberries dipped in vanilla yogurt, then frozen on a cookie sheet
- Frozen grape halves (or quarters for littler ones)
- Deli turkey or ham, rolled up and sliced, with tomato and cucumber "salad"
- Whole wheat crackers with Laughing Cow cheese spread (or peanut butter) and yogurt
- Edamame (add a little pinch of salt if necessary)
Kids won't eat fruit in the raw? Try making them a smoothie to drink with yogurt or milk, frozen blueberries, bananas or strawberries. You can even add a handful of raw spinach leaves and I PROMISE YOU they will never taste them. Recipes abound on the internet but here is a popular one for a Banana Blueberry (shhh... Spinach) Smoothie.
Nut allergy (either in your child or his/her classroom)? Try soy butter, it's really pretty good.
Got a kid on the go? Just grab a leakproof, flat container with a snap-top lid and some reusable muffin liners (like these Casabella Silicone Muffin Cups) and you'll be good to go for your own Bento Box!
What else do you put in your toddler or preschooler's lunches?
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