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Resources, Recipes, & Activities

Simple Back to School Lunch Ideas

Many families are settling back into their children’s school routine which may include packing their lunch the night before or morning of. Preparing your child’s lunch may be a tedious or stressful task and we are here to help! 

A balanced lunch includes a variety of food groups that will keep your child full and satisfied. This includes:

  • Protein like meat or meat substitutes, nut butters, beans, tofu, and dairy

  • Whole grains such as Bread, rice, quinoa, oats, and corn 

  • Fruits and vegetables such as leafy greens, carrots, bananas, apples, and strawberries  

  • Dairy or dairy alternatives like milk and yogurt 

Below are simple recipes for sandwiches, pastas, and rice bowls. They all include elements that make a balanced meal. 

Sandwiches are a usual go-to lunch as they are easy to build and incorporate different ingredients. To add some variety, consider alternating between different spreads like pesto, hummus, avocado, or spreadable cheese, like goat cheese or labneh. Here are some examples to check out: 


Like sandwiches, pasta is simple to prepare and easy to pair with various ingredients. Check out these variations:


Rice bowls are a popular lunch meal because they are fulfilling. Just like sandwiches and pasta, the amount of ingredients you can add to a rice bowl are endless. Here are some of our favorites:

Figuring out what to serve your child each week can feel daunting. Let us know if you try out any of these recipes and what other recipes you would like to see. 

Kristie CabreraComment