Lunches don’t have to be boring when you make them healthy. There’s a world of interesting flavors that kids can enjoy for lunch without even realizing you’re feeding them the vitamins and minerals they need to grow. Here are a few of our best vegan lunch ideas for kids for inspiration.
Add A Rainbow Of Veggies
Colorful vegetables can really be inviting when you make them pretty and cut them small for kids to handle. A bento box can keep flavors and foods separated. Add veggies that you know your kids will eat. Try out new veggies that they might be interested in, too. Include something they can dip their vegetables in as well. Just don’t make a fuss when they don’t eat new things.
Make Fruit Fun
Fruits are nutrient dense and colorful, so you can include even more colors that are inviting to kids. Peel clementines and cut up apples to make them easy for your child to eat. Try to buy local and seasonal fruits when possible for the best flavors. If you’re worried about your child not getting enough nutrients from their food, add vitamin drops for toddlers to their daily routine.
Get Kids Involved
When you’re busy, it’s easy to forget to include your kids in fixing their lunches. Imagine how you’d feel if your boss ordered lunch for you without taking your own tastes into account. Maybe you don’t have enough time to let the kids help you make their lunches, but you can ask them for their preferences. Give two choices, like hummus or peanut butter, or oranges or grapes. Giving a child some ownership over their lunch can help them enjoy it more.
Use Whole-Grain Crackers and Snacks
Look for brown rice crackers or quinoa puffs that have added fiber over plain white bread. Kids need carbs for energy, but find versions that use whole grains and aren’t as processed as some snacks. Get mini-sized snacks that fit little hands. When you have time, make oatmeal muffins or whole-wheat mini-waffles for a different taste. Add healthy cereal options for fun shapes and flavors. Try Wellements Elderberry as a supplement to build immunity.
Make Things Bite-Size
Kid-sized lunches can be more inviting than big portions. Include a wide variety of foods that give your kids options. Think plant-based foods that are nutritious and fun. Cut sandwiches into small pieces. Use cookie cutters to make different shaped food. You can even include a bite-sized piece of dark chocolate for older children.
Pack Lunches Safely
Get a thermos to keep hot foods hot. Use an ice pack to keep cold foods cold. Have a few different lunch boxes that make packing lunch easy for you and fund for your child. Keep small containers available in your kitchen because your kids are going to lose them. Make lunchtime fun and less stressful by using disposable items that don’t have to be returned. Have a stash of healthy foods that don’t require as much preparation for days when life is going off the rails.
