Vegetarian Lunch Box Ideas
School Lunch Tips & Recipes
Some Basic Tips:
- Pack finger food in bite sized pieces
- Keep the food colourful
- Pack notes and pictures for fun for the younger child, especially if he/she is homesick.
- Cut and peel fruit so it is easier to eat
- Vary the type of bread on which you make sandwiches: e.g. bagels, pta, buns, wraps or sandwich bread.
- For the younger child use cookie cutters to make fun shapes for the sandwiches.
- Do pack ready made snacks from health companies.
- Get your children involved in helping to choose and pack their lunches as young as possible.
Vegetarian Sandwich Fillings
Vegetarian sandwiches can get really creative as they are not limited to meat alone as the main theme. Here are a few more ideas for fillings:
- Tabouli in mini pitas
- Veggie pate
- Tofu cutlets
- Mashed avocado with salsa
- Vegetable curry in a wrap (roti style)
- Roasted vegetables
PBJ: Variations on a Theme
Peanut butter is a classic tried and true lunch box sandwich. Today you can vary the peanut butter for a wide variety of nut and seed butters. Try substituting thin banana slices for the jam, or for the the very adventurous, slices of tomato salted with spicy Herbamare. For those classes or schools that are nut-free zones, substitute the nut butter for soy nut butter (eg. No Nuts).
Kid-Sized Sides
In addition to a sandwich, always try to pack some veggies, snacks and fruits. Younger children will do better with bite-sized sides that are made to fit their smaller fingers. Here are a few suggestions:
| Fresh Veggies & Fruit | Protein Foods | Snacks |
|---|---|---|
| cherry tomatoes | soy nuts | pretzels and soy butter |
| baby carrots | cashews or other nuts; trail mixes | mini samosas |
| cucumber slices | tofu burgers | guacamole and tortilla chips |
| red pepper slices | cheese sticks | applesauce |
| button mushrooms | yogurt cups | organic raisins - box |
| grapes | hard boiled egg, peeled | fruit leather |
| kiwi cut in half (pack a spoon) | ||
| mini bananas | ||
Recipes
These recipes are sourced from classic ideas or were provided by parents who over the years have found creative ways to get their kids to eat healthier lunches.
Quick & Easy Lunch Box Recipes
Vegan Deli Sandwich
Cheese Toss
Vegetarian Quesadilla
Next – Salads, Leftovers & Teen Cuisine
Above feature image by hadasit photo / Shutterstock.com.
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