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. Dinner, breakfast, or snack leftovers are great foods to incorporate into your child’s lunchbox. 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
Below are several “leftovers for lunch” lunchboxes (including pictures and ingredients) I have made for my daughters in the past.
Lunchbox #1
- Lunchbox #1 Ingredients:
- Spaghetti squash with tomato sauce
- Whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and salmon
- Carrots and grapes
- A square of dark chocolate with sea salt
Lunchbox #2
- Lunchbox #2 Ingredients:
- Pancakes (breakfast leftovers)
- Smoked salmon and maple syrup
- Grapes, celery, cheese stick and dried cranberries
Lunchbox #3
- Lunchbox #3 Ingredients:
- Breaded chicken stripes with ketchup
- Broccoli with ginger miso dressing
- Strawberries and cantaloupe
- Apple granola and bunny cookies
Lunchbox #4
- Lunchbox #4 Ingredients:
- Breaded turkey breast (dinner leftovers) with ketchup
- Steamed broccoli
- Grapes, banana bread and crackers
Lunchbox #5
- Lunchbox #5 Ingredients:
- Home-made mushroom pizza leftovers
- Cherry tomatoes and grapes
- Ham “noodles” and a yogurt drink
Lunchbox #6
- Lunchbox #6 Ingredients:
- Mushroom pizza (dinner leftovers)
- Sautéed broccoli rabe (yummy even cold)
- Grapes and cookies
- Dried cranberries for a dessert
Lunchbox #7
- Lunchbox #7 Ingredients:
- Pita chips
- Carrots, cucumbers and hummus
- Blueberries, pineapple and a piece of homemade choc chip cookie
Lunchbox #8
- Lunchbox #8 Ingredients:
- Beef and mushroom patty ( a variation of this turkey/mushroom meatballs recipe)
- Whole wheat bread, ketchup
- Baked sweet potato fries
- Pineapple and dark chocolate chips
Lunchbox #9
- Lunchbox #9 Ingredients:
- Stir-fried tofu and broccoli dinner leftovers
- Tortilla chips
- Slice of croissant and watermelon/mango stars
Lunchbox #10
- Lunchbox #10 Ingredients:
- Breakfast for lunch today – whole grain french toast
- Carrot/celery sticks with hummus
- Dark chocolate-stuffed raspberries
Lunchbox #11
- Lunchbox #11 Ingredients:
- Veggie-rich Shepherd’s pie leftovers
- Steamed asparagus leftovers with a sprinkle of salt
- Fruit salad (strawberries, clementines and pomegranate seeds)
- A small chocolate yogurt
Lunchbox #12
- Lunchbox #12 Ingredients:
- Homemade mushroom pizza leftovers ( we love mushroom pizza!)
- Hummus with carrots and red peppers
- Banana and a treat – a small chocolate yogurt
Lunchbox #13
- Lunchbox #13 Ingredients:
- Smoked salmon franks and whole wheat hot-dog roll
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, and hummus
- Raspberries
Lunchbox #14
- Lunchbox #14 Ingredients:
- Breaded chicken with ketchup
- Carrots and green beans
- Clementine and yogurt
- A small bag of crackers (in the lunchbox bag)
Lunchbox #15
- Lunchbox #15 Ingredients:
- Apple slices with peanut butter
- Smoked salmon
- Tomatoes and dark chocolate
Lunchbox #16
- Lunchbox #16 Ingredients:
- Stir-fried chicken leftovers with ketchup
- Whole wheat bread
- Fruit, celery/carrots and a mini-yogurt
Lunchbox #17
- Lunchbox #17 Ingredients
- Tortilla leftovers (potato/onion omelet)
- Jamon (spanish ham)
- Green beans and tomatoes
- Cantaloupe and dark chocolate chips
Lunchbox #18
- Lunchbox #18 Ingredients:
- Homemade ww pita chips alongside a thermos of butternut squash soup
- Guacamole, manchego cheese
- Grapes and pomegranate seeds
Lunchbox #19
- Lunchbox #19 Ingredients:
- Ww pasta with veggie meat sauce and parmesan dinner leftovers
- Roasted carrots and raspberries
- Banana and dark chococolate
Lunchbox #20
- Lunchbox #20
- Leftover lentil soup
- Leftover apple crumble and yogurt
- Grapes and leftover corn
Stay tuned for more lunchbox round-ups!
Tell me what is your child’s favorite lunchbox item?