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  5. Healthy School Lunches & Snacks

Healthy School Lunches & Snacks

By Sally Kuzemchak, RD
October 07, 2014
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Make midday meals healthy and fun with these easy brown bag school lunch ideas. Transform classic lunches, from tuna to PB&J to turkey and cheese, into healthier recipes. Kids will also love the healthy snack ideas that will keep them full throughout the day.
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Credit: Paula Hible

The simplest and healthiest foods stay extra-yummy when they're tucked inside individual little compartments. That's the idea behind Bentology, the company that sells these cute plastic sets. We filled the containers with a protein, some fruit, a vegetable, and a small treat – all in perfect-size portions for kids 5 to 8. Healthy school lunches have never been easier!

All Dressed Up

* 1 cup bow-tie pasta salad with veggies

* 1 cup baby greens salad with 2 tablespoons low-fat dressing

* 3/4 cup watermelon

* 2 fig cookies

  • 30 Days of Lunch Ideas -- From Celeb Chefs!

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Catch of the Day

Credit: Paula Hible
  • Fish-shaped tuna sandwich with lettuce on whole wheat bread
  • 10 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons low-fat ranch dip
  • Small plum
  • 1/4 cup whole-grain Goldfish crackers
  • 25 Easy Ways to Liven Up the Lunch Box
  • Find the Perfect Dishes and Utensils

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Pretzel Kabobs

Credit: Paula Hible
  • Ham, turkey, and cheese rolled up together, sliced, and skewered with pretzel sticks
  • 1/2 cup mandarin oranges
  • 1/2 cup shelled edamame
  • 1 container (4 ounces) fat-free chocolate pudding
  • Back-to-School Breakfasts and Lunches
  • 10 Superfood Lunch Ideas

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Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids

Want more kids school lunch ideas? Check out our tips for simple ways to upgrade your child's sandwiches.

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Early Riser

Credit: Paula Hible
  • Sliced hard-boiled egg and 2 mini whole-grain waffles
  • Bell-pepper strips
  • 1 sliced kiwi fruit mixed with a few blackberries
  • Mini corn muffin
  • Shop high chairs we love

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Finger Food

Credit: Paula Hible
  • String cheese and a handful of whole wheat crackers
  • 1 cup broccoli and cauliflower florets with 2 tablespoons light raspberry dressing
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • Slice of banana bread
  • Super Healthy (and Yummy!) Sandwiches
  • Find Lunch Bags and Boxes, Food Containers, and More

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Fiesta!

Credit: Paula Hible
  • 1 cup bean salad
  • 1/2 cup melon wedges
  • Handful of whole-grain tortilla chips with 2 tablespoons salsa
  • 8 cubes of reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  • School Lunch Around the World

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With so many lunch boxes on the market it can be hard to know what to buy. In this video we provide the pros and cons of many popular options, making it easy to package your healthy school lunch ideas.

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Hole New PB&J

Credit: Paula Hible
  • Peanut butter and jelly on a whole wheat mini bagel
  • 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes with 2 tablespoons low-fat Caesar dressing
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
  • 4 mini oatmeal cookies
  • The 20 All-Time Best Snacks for Kids

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Pizza Party

Credit: Paula Hible
  • 1 slice leftover cold veggie pizza cut into squares
  • 3/4 cup cucumber moons with 2 tablespoons hummus
  • 1/2 cup purple grapes
  • 1/2 cup popcorn
  • Smart Snacks Packed With Vitamins

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Power Pita

Credit: Paula Hible
  • 2 mini whole wheat pita pockets with grilled-chicken strips and veggies
  • 3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt with sliced strawberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar snap peas
  • 8 animal crackers
  • Fill Your Kitchen With Fun Kids Tableware

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Healthy Snacks: Why Kids Need to Snack

Snacking is important for active kids. Find out why and get easy ideas for healthy, appealing snacks for school lunches.

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After-School Snack Mixes: Sesame Sticks

Credit: Paula Hible

These creative combos add up to one-of-a-kind after-school treats. Also consider using them as snacks for healthy school lunches. 

Sesame sticks + chopped cereal-nut bars + dried pineapple

  • 9 Healthy Packaged Snacks and Sides

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After-School Snack Mixes: Pita Chips

Credit: Paula Hible

Mini pita chips + soy nuts + mini chocolate chips

  • 8 Power Munchies

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After-School Snack Mixes: Mini Pretzels

Credit: Paula Hible

Mini pretzels twists + cashews + dried cranberries

  • 20+ Snacks Kids (and Moms) Love

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After-School Snack Mixes: Low-Fat Granola

Credit: Paula Hible

Low-fat granola + sunflower seeds + dried apricots

  • Find Matching Cups for the Family Table

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After-School Snack Mixes: Dried Papaya

Credit: Paula Hible

Dried papaya + whole-grain cereal + golden raisins

  • Celeb Chefs Share the Best Snacks Around the World

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After-School Snack Mixes: Almonds

Credit: Paula Hible

Almonds + M&M's + dried mango

  • Kid-Friendly Nut Recipes

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Best New Snacks for School: TrueNorth Peanut Clusters

Credit: Courtesy of TrueNorth Snacks

Want more healthy school lunch ideas? Round out your kid's lunch with these ready-to-go products.

These nuggets of freshly roasted nuts are ideal for slow eaters. Six pieces contain 170 calories and 5 grams of protein ($3.50 for a 5-1/2-ounce bag).

  • Learn More About Truenorthsnacks.com
  • The Best Snacks for Kids With Food Allergies

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Lunch Monitor: What Are Kids Throwing Away?

Kids throw away over $1 billion of school lunch food every year. Find out what goes into the trash.

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Best New Snacks for School: Bachman The Puzzle Pretzels

Credit: Courtesy of Backman Snax

Puzzle-shaped pretzels come in large and individual-size bags ($17 for six 12-ounce bags).

  • Learn More About Bachmansnax.com
  • The Best Brands for Kids With Food Sensitivities

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Best New Snacks for School: Lundberg Family Farms Baked Rice with a Twist

Credit: Courtesy of Lundberg Family Farms

These crunchy twists in child-friendly flavors like white cheddar and ranch are made from brown rice and packed with whole grains ($3 for a 4-1/2-ounce bag).

  • Learn More About Lundberg.com

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Best New Snacks for School: Back to Nature Granola to Go

Credit: Courtesy of Back to Nature Foods

Toss a mini bag of this granola – along with a container of yogurt and a piece of fruit – into your child's lunchbox. Kids will probably like the honey-almond variety the best ($4 for five 1-1/2-ounce bags).

  • Learn More About Backtonaturefoods.com

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1 of 23
2 of 23 Catch of the Day
3 of 23 Pretzel Kabobs
4 of 23 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids
5 of 23 Early Riser
6 of 23 Finger Food
7 of 23 Fiesta!
8 of 23
9 of 23 Hole New PB&J
10 of 23 Pizza Party
11 of 23 Power Pita
12 of 23 Healthy Snacks: Why Kids Need to Snack
13 of 23 After-School Snack Mixes: Sesame Sticks
14 of 23 After-School Snack Mixes: Pita Chips
15 of 23 After-School Snack Mixes: Mini Pretzels
16 of 23 After-School Snack Mixes: Low-Fat Granola
17 of 23 After-School Snack Mixes: Dried Papaya
18 of 23 After-School Snack Mixes: Almonds
19 of 23 Best New Snacks for School: TrueNorth Peanut Clusters
20 of 23 Lunch Monitor: What Are Kids Throwing Away?
21 of 23 Best New Snacks for School: Bachman The Puzzle Pretzels
22 of 23 Best New Snacks for School: Lundberg Family Farms Baked Rice with a Twist
23 of 23 Best New Snacks for School: Back to Nature Granola to Go

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Healthy School Lunches & Snacks
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