This is the next installment in my series of lunchbox roundups that features different types of lunchboxes I pack for my daughters and post almost daily on my Pinterest and Facebook pages.
When packing lunchboxes, I always try to include three types of foods:
- Grow food (protein+starch)
- Vegetables
- Fruit and/or dairy
I also usually include a small serving of a sweet treat, to round out the meal. I am also a big proponent of packing a small serving of a less liked or new food into your child’s lunchbox from time to time. This way, they get one more opportunity to learn to like something new!
Here are some of the earlier lunchbox-themed posts that you may find useful:
The Art and Science of Packing a Lunchbox
Involving kids in lunchbox preparation
Pasta and Noodle Lunchbox Roundup
Rice and Grain Lunchbox Roundup
As a timeless lunchbox staple, it’s no surprise that I’ve created a lunchbox roundup post devoted to sandwiches. Generally, I’ll use whole wheat bread for the sandwiches, but you can also use whole grain crackers, wraps, or a piece of a left-over baguette. My daughters prefer ham or smoked salmon in their sandwiches and I like to add a little creative touch by cutting them into fun shapes like bunnies, hearts, or flowers.
I generally like to include fruit like strawberries, cherries, or melon and vegetables such as tomatoes, celery, and carrots in the sandwich lunchboxes. I’ll also include something sweet for a small dessert. By cutting the vegetables or fruit into heart or flower shapes that match the heart or flower shaped-sandwiches, you’ll have a well-balanced lunchbox that is a step-up from what you’ll find in an ordinary square sandwich lunchbox!
Below are several sandwich lunchboxes (including pictures and ingredients) I have made for my daughters in the past.
Lunchbox #1
- Lunchbox #1 Ingredients
- Smoked salmon sandwich
- Broccoli rabe leftovers
- Cherries and a dark chocolate granola bar
Lunchbox #2
- Lunchbox #2 Ingredients
- Smoked salmon sandwiches
- Carrots and celery, hummus
- Blood oranges and kiwi hearts
- A cookie
Lunchbox #3
- Lunchbox #3 Ingredients:
- Put filling in between to pieces of bread and pinched the edges together to seal it.
- For filling I used canned tuna, avocado and a little mayo.
- Berries, tomato, and choc cookies
Lunchbox #4
- Lunchbox #4 Ingredients:
- Bunny whole wheat ham sandwich and flower cakes
- Cantaloupe flowers
- Smoothie and a couple of gummy bunnies
Lunchbox #5
- Lunchbox #5 Ingredients:
- Ham sandwiches
- Tomatoes, quail eggs
- Hummus, pita chips
- Dried blueberries, oranges and kiwis
Lunchbox #6
- Lunchbox #6 Ingredients:
- Ham sandwich
- Banana bread
- Apple, carrots and hummus
Lunchbox #7
- Lunchbox #7 Ingredients:
- Whole wheat bread and ham mini sandwiches
- Cherry tomatoes, green grapes, and purple tortilla chips crumbles
- A small yogurt drink for dessert
Lunchbox #8
- Lunchbox #8 Ingredients:
- Ham sandwiches
- Carrots and home-made popcorn
- Cherries and dark chocolate chips
Lunchbox #9
- Lunchbox #9 Ingredients:
- Whole wheat bread and ham sandwiches
- Carrot/celery “flowers”
- Strawberries and granola bar
Lunchbox #10
- Lunchbox #10 Ingredients:
- Heart-shaped whole wheat sandwiches with ham
- Celery/tomato skewers
- Hummus, mango and 2 pieces of dark chocolate
Lunchbox #11
- Lunchbox #11 Ingredients
- DIY wrap – whole grain tortilla, ham, spinach, tomatoes, and cheese
- Cantaloupe and gummy bunnies for a treat.
Lunchbox #12
- Lunchbox #12 Ingredients:
- Ham sandwiches
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, and cantaloupe
- Strawberries and a dark chocolate heart
Lunchbox #13
- Lunchbox #13 Ingredients:
- Grilled cheese “gingerbread man”
- Carrots and celery sticks
- Banana bread and grapes
Lunchbox #14
- Lunchbox #14 Ingredients:
- Smoked salmon with wholegrain bread
- Carrots and tomatoes with miso dip
- A piece of chocolate muffin and grapes
Lunchbox #15
- Lunchbox #15 Ingredients:
- A super-balanced lunchbox by my dear friend Ronni
- Canned tuna in olive oil with sea salt
- Pea shoots, triskets
- Little orange cake and dried cranberries
Lunchbox #16
- Lunchbox #16
- Halloween is in the air: ham “owl” sandwiches
- Blackberry and cheese skewers
- Clementines
- Yogurt with chocolate “dirt” and candy (of course).
Stay tuned for more lunchbox round-ups!
Tell me what is your child’s favorite lunchbox item?
