Quick, Simple & Healthy School Lunch Ideas
Kids can be very finicky when it comes to meals. They have severe likes and dislikes, putting a break in your school lunch preparations. In today’s blog, we have highlighted practical lunchbox tips, saving you the trouble of thinking. Our list of healthy school lunch ideas with the ingredient list will also come in handy.
Important Lunchbox Tips
Preparing school lunches for your kids is a difficult and even tiring task. Apart from that, you also have to make sure you’re adding all the essential nutrients and vitamins needed for your growing child. Let us give you some simple lunchbox tips before jumping straight to a list of healthy school lunch ideas.
- Choose a lunch base based on rice, wheat, pasta, and potatoes to keep little ones full.
- Instead of using fatty mayonnaise, add lean fat like chicken and tuna.
- Add leafy lettuce and salad whenever you’re making sandwiches or wraps for kids.
- Cheese can be good if it has a strong flavour and is used less.
- Always add veggies like cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumber etc.
- Be sure to pack a bite-sized fruit like orange, apple, strawberry, blueberry, mango, etc.
- You can choose low-fat and low-sugar yoghurt for school lunch.
- Try reducing chips and biscuits and chocolates. You can add homemade popcorn instead.
- You can replace cakes and other sugary items with fruit-based bread and teacakes.
- If you want your child to finish up their lunchbox, ask them to help you in its preparation. They are more likely to eat what they have prepared.
Top Indian Healthy School Lunch Ideas
We have compiled multiple school lunch recipes to make your morning easy. These ideas are not only quick and easy to prepare but are super healthy too. Incorporate these healthy meals for kids ideas and save your precious time.
Paneer Wrap
This simple lunchbox idea requires ingredients like grilled paneer/cottage cheese cubes, flatbread/roti, onion slices and cucumber rings. Spread chutney or sauce over the flatbed and add the above ingredients.
Potato & Spinach Paratha
A common dish in most Indian households, potato and/or spinach parathas are packed with potassium, iron, vitamin A and other nutrients. They are the favourite of most kids and can be easily made with limited ingredients like wheat flour, potato/spinach and spices.
Fried Okra
Quickly fry the okra and pack the lunch with additional items like curd rice and brownies. This is a delicious and super healthy combo for kids.
Green Pea Rice
Save yourself a lot of time by adding this delicious recipe to your list. You will require green peas and non-sticky/basmati rice to prepare it. You can also add boiled eggs with seasoning to the lunchbox.
Chana Chaat
Chana chaat is a delicious street snack, made easily at home. Made from healthy ingredients such as boiled chickpeas, veggies, green and tamarind chutney, chaat masala and cumin powder, this would be a hit in lunch breaks.
Vegetable Biryani
Vegetable biryani is not only healthy but tasty too. This wholesome meal requires basmati rice and mixed vegetables. It is packed with vitamins, fibres and minerals.
Lentil & Rice
Dal rice or lentic rice is another healthy lunchbox idea that is a part of almost every Indian home. You can use red, brown, green, yellow and other types of lentils along with rice.
| LUNCH IDEA | MAIN INGREDIENTS |
| Paneer Wrap | Paneer, Flatbread, Chutney or Sauce |
| Paratha | Potato or Spinach, Wheat flour |
| Fried Okra | Okra and Corn Meal, Seasoning |
| Green Pea Rice | Green Pea, Non sticky rice |
| Chana Chaat | Boiled chickpeas, Green & tamarind chutney, Chaat masala, cumin powder, Veggies |
| Vegetable Biryani | Basmati rice, Mix veggies |
| Lentil & Rice | Red/Yellow/Green/Brown lentils, Rice |
Conclusion
Kids are susceptible to illnesses and require a balanced diet. Their growing needs require the right balance of nutrients, proteins and carbohydrates. This is why all parents should read this blog which emphasises the importance of healthy school lunch ideas. Many schools like K.R. Mangalam World School, Best Private CBSE School in Lucknow, offer mid-day meal service for kids. So join us and become a part of our extended community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some simple Indian healthy school lunch ideas?
A few school lunch ideas include vegetable biryani, fried okra with curd rice, dal/lentil and rice, paneer/cottage cheese wraps and more.
What are school lunch recipes for weight loss?
You can prepare a school lunch with scrambled eggs, peanut butter noodles, dim sum, chickpea and spinach curry, red lentils, rice etc.
What are some necessary food items that should be in a school lunch?
Must-have food items in a lunchbox include carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, dry fruits, salads and yoghurt.
Can sweets be included in school lunch?
You can add sweets to the lunch box by switching traditional chocolates, pancakes and pastries with fruits, fruit bread and fruity teacakes.
