Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

While school meals are a great choice, if your child prefers a packed lunch it can be tricky to think of healthy lunch box items for everyday of the week!

Swinnow School Councillors have got you covered - we've investigated and found some fabulous, healthy lunch box ideas you can try out at home. We will update these ideas each week so you have loads to choose from. If you give them a go, let us know if you like them!

Fruity Sundae

Ingredients

80ml natural yogurt
25g strawberries
10g mixed berries

Method

Dollop the natural yogurt into an airtight container. Blend or mash the strawberries to a purée and swirl through the yogurt. Top with mixed berries.

Turkey Sandwich Stars

Make lunchtime exciting with these fun turkey sandwich stars, a simple idea for a healthy lunchbox. Use a cookie cutter to stamp out shapes and pack with some crunchy veg for a tasty packed lunch.

Ingredients

20g cheese spread
2 slices wholemeal bread (from an 800g loaf)
2 slices of wafer thin roast turkey
10cm piece cucumber
1/2 carrot

Spread the cheese spread over the bread slices. Top one with the wafer thin roast turkey, and assemble into a sandwich.
Cut into stars using different sized star cutters (you can make 3-4 stars with little waste, except the crusts – blitz these into breadcrumbs or use in another recipe).
Use a vegetable peeler to peel the cucumber and carrot into ribbons. Pack up the lunchbox, creating a divide between the sandwiches and vegetables with a strip of folded foil, if you like.

Cook's tip: A small banana and some raisins make a good optional snack.

Spicy Chicken Salad Wrap

1 tablespoon low-fat Greek style yoghurt
¼ teaspoon of curry powder, to taste
large pinch of chilli powder, to taste
85g cooked chicken breast, chopped into small pieces
1 large wholemeal wrap
small wedge of lettuce, to give 2 tablespoons when shredded
3 slices of cucumber, chopped
1 slice of pepper, chopped

Mix the yoghurt and spices to taste and add the chicken (this is a great way to use leftover roast chicken).

Spread the chicken mixture on the wrap, then sprinkle on the lettuce, cucumber and pepper.

Try other salad vegetables – grated carrot and chopped celery work well, too.

Fold opposite edges of the wrap, to keep the filling in, then roll up and cut in half.

Pitta Pockets:

Ingredients

½ pitta bread
25g cooked skinless chicken breast
¼ cucumber , cut into chunks
4 cherry tomatoes , halved

All you need to do is fill the pitta half with the chicken breast, cucumber and cherry tomatoes. Why not try different fillings and see which you enjoy the most?

Tuna Pasta Salad:

If you fancy a bit of freshness in your lunchbox, have a go at making this delicious tuna pasta salad!

Ingredients

200 g mini spiral pasta or other fun-shaped pasta
2 tablespoons whole-egg mayonnaise
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
sea salt and cracked black pepper
1 125 g can tuna drained
125 g cherry tomatoes quartered
1 small cucumber sliced and halved

Instructions

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water, according to package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and seasonings in a small bowl until combined.
Place pasta, tuna, tomatoes, cucumber and mayonnaise mixture in a large bowl and toss/stir gently to coat.

Creamy hummus dip, bread and veggies:

This creamy dip is fun to eat and makes a change from sandwiches.

You could always try the hummus ready made from a supermarket, or you can have a go at making your own! (Follow this link if you want to have a try). Carrot sticks, cucumber sticks and cut up bread would be delicious to dip and taste!