24 healthy main lunchbox ideas that go beyond a sandwich

Sick of making the same school lunch every day? Try some of these healthy lunchbox ideas that ensure your child is ticking the nutrition boxes.

1. Salad sandwich made with this delicious gut-friendly seed loaf by Jessica Cox. If your child is not used to seed bread, reduce the amount or blitz them up in a food processor slightly.

2. With just 13.6g of carbohydrates per wrap, the Mountain Bread Rye wraps are a great alternative to refined bread. Serve as whole or cut into mini bite-size pieces to fit perfectly inside a bento box.

3. Rice paper rolls are a fun way to increase the veggie content in your child’s lunchbox. Get your child making them with you and if they’re a little bit fussy, pair the rolls with a tasty dipping sauce. Try this kid-friendly recipe by Kid Ingredients.

4. Sushi rolls or sushi sandwich can seem like a bit of work, but they are actually easy to do and a great option if you have leftover rice or quinoa.

5. This Zucchini and bacon slice is a great option that you can batch cook in advance and freeze ready for back to school.

6. Chicken Honey Soy Drumettes may be a little messy but they are mighty tasty. Double the recipe for dinner and pop them into the lunchbox cold for the next day. This recipe by Kidspot is delicious - just swap the drumsticks for drummettes for younger kids.

7. Anything in a muffin tin is easy to make and eat including these protein-rich Quinoa Veggie Cups. You may have to play around with the veggies if you have a little one with a limited palette so try them before you pack the lunchbox.

8. Meatballs are a great protein-rich option and also a good opportunity to increase the veggies in your child’s lunchbox, particularly of those fussy eaters. You can use beef, lamb, pork or try these tasty Baked Chicken balls.

9. Sausage rolls aren’t on the regular list of lunchbox items for me, but there are nice to have every now and then. Make them using a quality butter pastry to remove any nasties. I like Careme Spelt Wholemeal Puff Pastry which you can get from whole foods stores.

10. You can’t go wrong with Fritters which can be made quickly using leftovers or batch cooked and frozen to eat later. Try my kid-approved Sweetcorn + Zucchini Fritters.

11. Leftover Risotto can make a nourishing addition to a lunchbox. Serve cold or pop it hot into a thermos for a warming winter meal.

12. Spaghetti Muffins are a great way to use up leftover spaghetti bolognese and ideal for busy kids who simply want to play overeating. You’ll find the recipe for my spaghetti muffins in your downloadable recipe book.

13. Again, if you have leftover pasta, set it aside to make a Quick Pasta Salad. Add diced carrot, capsicum, cucumber, broccoli, spring onions, parsley and drizzle with lemon and olive oil. For protein, add chicken, tinned tuna or salmon or cooked egg.

14. Meat and Veggie Loaf is a little old school, but it can be a good way to increase the vegetables and protein of your child’s lunchbox. This one by One Handed Cooks is easy to make and delicious.

15. Just like the pasta salad, a Quinoa Salad is easy to make using leftovers from the night before. It’s also a great one for the kids to make. Simply place the ingredients in individual bowls and allow them to pick and choose. Don’t have quinoa? Try rice instead.

16. Veggie pikelets are a cost-effective lunchbox filler or main meal that the kids love. You can also easily play with the flavours to suit your child’s every change taste buds. Find a delicious pikelete recipe in your downloadable recipe book.

17. Fish Cakes are a good protein option and contain beneficial omega-3 fats. When preparing the cakes, make half kid-sized and the rest a little larger for you to have for lunch too. I like Jamie Oliver’s Simple Fish Cakes recipe as an introduction to these tasty bites.

18. I love Pizza Scrolls as they’re a great way to use up veggie odds and ends and kid-approved. I always have these on hand as a lunchbox filler or afternoon snack. They’re perfectly fine cold, but warmed up are even more delicious. Give my Spelt Flour Pizza Scrolls a go this term.

19. Packed with chickpeas, Falafels are an ideal vegetarian or vegan source of protein. I take a short cut and usually purchase packs from Woolworths or the fresh food store. If you are game to make them, these Sweet Potato Falafels look yum!

20. Mini Lasagnas can be made in a muffin tin or a large tray and then cut into individual sizes. They’re also a great freezable option.

21. DIY Fajitas are a fun lunchbox addition, especially for the older ones. For a healthy option, make your own fajita-style wrap or cut up Mountain Bread slices. Slice up a few ingredients for your child to make at lunchtime.

22. Salad Skewers are a fun option that requires no cooking and little skill! Take inspiration from this recipe, but simply use what you have on hand or your child’s favourite veggies and meat.

23. A Tuna Apple Salad takes no time to make and can be done the night before or on a busy morning. Just make sure you have an icepack in your lunchbox. You can find this recipe in my e-book.

24. What kid doesn’t like pizza?! Mini pizzas are a fun and welcome addition to most kids. I love these from Healthy Little Foodies that use sweet potato bases to increase the veggie content and reduce the refined carbohydrates.

Taking 2021 Bookings.

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As a registered nutritionist, Sarah offers online or in-person nutrition consultations. During these consults, Sarah provides a personalised nutritional assessment and evidence-based recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of you and your child.

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