Packing lunches for kids who are on the pickier side can be HARD. I am always looking for easy lunch ideas for picky eaters. I know how difficult that can be from experience, I have two kids who used to love a variety of foods, but now tell me a new food they don’t like almost daily. Their recent “hate” food – peanut butter. I mean, PEANUT BUTTER! What? Yes, crazy I know.
Because of this, I have struggled to make them what I will call *semi-healthy lunches every day. And I know what you’re thinking, just let them get a hot lunch at school. See, that’s what I offered at first. I knew it wouldn’t be as healthy as what I would be providing, but it would save me some time and allow the kids to choose their own food. Do you know what they said? They don’t want hot lunch because they don’t like the choices! 🤦🏼♀️ Seriously, my kids don’t even like pizza or mac and cheese with bread crumbs.
So, here I am posting photos of the lunches I found my kids will actually eat. The lunches below are just some simple, fast ideas that work for us. If you’re here reading this post, chances are you have a picky eater at home too. Hopefully, this post gives you some ideas for yours!
*I say “semi-healthy” because I usually don’t include vegetables. The kids will just not eat the veggies and I end up throwing them out. I try to stick to whole grains, high-protein and organic products when possible. But, it’s not always possible.
Easy Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
- Bagel with berry cream cheese, organic string cheese, kiwi, strawberries and nutter butter cookies.
- Homemade “Lunchables” Organic Triscuit crackers, organic provolone cheese, all natural turkey breast, clementine, grapes and mini chocolate chip cookies.
- Homemade Healthy Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (Recipe from Fit Foodie Finds here: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/pumpkin-baked-oatmeal/), organic string cheese, apple slices (Pink Lady, our favorite) and Skinny Pop Popcorn.
- “Chocolate Peanut butter” banana roll-ups (I mix peanut butter with small amount of honey and chocolate plant-based Orgain Protein Powder), berry mix, frozen Chobani Yogurt tube (the LOVE when I freeze the tubes and feel like they’re eating a popsicle for lunch, and an Oreo.
- High protein Kodiak Waffles with maple cream cheese (I mix a small amount of maple syrup with cream cheese), frozen yogurt tube, berry mix and an Oreo.
Our Favorite Lunch Containers
These are the containers in the pictures – Ziploc Divided Rectangle Containers
These are great because my kindergartner can open them easily, they are cheap enough that I don’t get mad if a piece gets lost, and they are recyclable.
I really want to try these! – Glass containers with silverware
Nanette’s Favorite – Bentgo Kids’ Leakproof Lunch Box
Other ideas:
Check out our Raddish Kids Subscription Box review to get kids cooking!
