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Be it children or adults many of us are picky eaters and this makes a lot of mess every morning. The poor mom is trying hard to please everyone with tasty food for lunch. What can be the best healthy packed lunch ideas? We face this dilemma every day. No matter what we do, last minute we tend to carry junk food in our bags or give it in our kid’s lunch box. Divya Iyer brings us 30 healthy lunch box ideas for work and kids that are worth trying. He children are food critics and do not settle for something which is less appetizing and boring. This fact motivated Divya to experiment and explore new dishes and prepare this list of healthy lunch ideas. Her menu is simple, quick, and includes a good amount of veggies and fruits. All the dishes require pre-preparation the previous night so the dishes are ready in minimum time during the rush hours. Her lunch box concept is meat-free and egg-free too. If you wanna start vegan diet these are ideal recipes to try.
Scroll down to the bottom of this list to find some really simple and quick healthy lunch box ideas for kids and adults!
1. Avacado Roti Filled With Cheese & Sauteed Bell peppers, (Roti Quesadilla)
Avocados and bell peppers make a great source of antioxidants. Avocado quesadillas filled with cheese and bell peppers make healthy lunch box recipes.
2. Broccoli Paratha, Shahi Paneer, Pears
Children love parathas! Give your parathas a twist using different stuffing, this time broccoli. Shahi Paneer compliments best with parathas. Give one fruit in the tiffin always.
3. Rajma Chawal, Cucumber Raitha, Boiled Corn
Give your kid a healthy meal with some buttered rajma (kidney beans) chawal. Cucumber raita along with boiled corn can become healthy treats together.
4. Buttered Rice, Sauteed Assorted Bell pepper, Green Moong Dal Fry
Moong dal has lots of protein while assorted bell peppers are packed with vitamins; both make a perfect meal combo with buttered rice.
Also read: Cooking With Sweet Corn – Easy Recipes Worth A Try!
5. Cabbage Stuffed Parathas
If your picky eater denies eating veggies every day, offering him parathas can be a great an idea. Stuffed cabbage paratha with some yogurt and fruits can be perfect.
6. Cauliflower Paratha, Kadai Paneer
Here’s another idea to serve parathas. Cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable to pack in kids lunch box. Team it up with a paneer dish and Viola!
7. Cheesy White Pasta With Veggies
Kids love to eat pasta and you can try various flavours along with this dish. Cheesy white pasta topped with yummy veggies is awesome.
8. Cilantro Almond Pesto Pasta With Green Veggies
Italian dishes impress everyone. Adding healthy greens to pesto pasta can make your day.
9. Colorful Mini Idlies, Chenna Salad
Colorful coin idlies made from beetroot, cilantro and carrot not only look appetizing but are healthy options too. Channa and cucumber salad also makes a healthy complement.
10. Curd & Corn Sandwich, Granola Bar, Pomegranate
If you are looking for filling lunch options, corn & curd sandwiches are a yummy delight. Serve it with pomegranate and granola bar for a crisp bite!
11. Curd Rice, Cauliflower & Capsicum Curry
Rice is a staple food in India; combining it with curd and tempering with mustard and curry leaves will make a yummy dish. Cauliflower and capsicum sauteed in olive oil add a nutritive value to the tiffin.
12. Jeera Pulav, Tadka Dal, Broccoli Curry
Broccoli curry with dal is the best combination of vitamins and proteins, making it a perfect meal.
Also read: Amazing Tips and Tricks To Deal With Picky Eaters – A guide
13. Lemon Rice, Okra Curry, Peas & Carrot
Tangy lemon rice with okra (bhindi) crisps and peas carrot salad makes a complete meal for lunch. Your kids will have a treat.
14. Masala Dosa Rollups, Tomato & Carrot Chutney
Let your kids feast on a South Indian delight – masala dosa! Roll them and cut into mini bites and serve along tomato & carrot chutney.
15. Bombay Sandwich, Boiled Corn, Berries
Yummilicious Bombay sandwich with mint chutney boiled corns and some sweet berries will make a fantastic low-calorie lunch idea.
16. Onion & Carrot Uthappam, Tomato Chutney
Pancake sized onion and carrot uthappam served with tomato chutney will make your child eat the veggies you want. You may also add peas, capsicum, spinach or similar veggies of your choice to the uthappam.
17. Paneer Frankie & Nuts
Paneer or cottage cheese is a great source of protein. If your child doesn’t eat enough rotis, wrap them up into paneer veggie frankies. Spread a bit of tomato ketchup to make them tasty. Include nuts in the lunch box as a small treat to the children.
18. Paneer Sandwich
Mix boiled and mashed potato, paneer and some masalas according to your kid’s taste. Make a grilled sandwich out of it for a healthy chowtime snack.
19. Pav Bhaji, Corn Salad
Parents if your child is a veggie-hater, pav bhaji comes to your rescue. Add any vegetables you want and kids won’t even know! Corn salad will be nice finger food to complement pav bhaji.
20. Phulkas, Paneer Butter Masala, Oranges
Cute little phulkas with paneer butter masala is a filling meal for children. Add oranges to the box to boost up their immunity.
21. Podi Idli With Tomato Chutney, Grapes
Mini Podi idlis make a wholesome snack for lunch box. Serve with tomato or coconut chutney. You may also add veggies to your idlis.
22. Poori With Aaloo Matar Sabji, Pasta Salad
Aaloo Matar ki sabji and mini pooris are great lunch box recipes. Whip up a quick pasta salad and complete the healthy diet plan for your kids.
23. Potato & Carrot Sandwich, Cole Slaw
Make a speedy sandwich with potato and grated carrots, slice cheese in between and toast are for a healthy lunch meal. Compliment with yummy mayo cole slaw and a bunch of grapes.
24. Rasam Rice, Beetroot Curry, Chips, Pomegranate
Tangy tamarind rasam rice with beetroot curry is a flavoursome meal for kids. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins to keep you healthy.
25. Seviya Upma With Veggies, Yogurt, Nuts
Sev upma tastes delicious; add in some veggies to increase its nutritive counts. Yogurt is an excellent probiotic while nuts give the necessary amount of fats and proteins in the diet.
26. Spongy Poha Dosa Spread With Tomato Chutney
Dosa made from poha (flattened rice) is a nice variation for kids lunch box.
27. Subway Sandwich (Veggie Delight), Oven Baked Potato Chips
Sometimes let your kids enjoy the chips (oven baked options) with a subway veggie delight sandwich.
28. Veg Noodles, Boiled Corn
Simple vegetable Hakka noodles with boiled corns can make a healthy meal idea.
29. Veggie Pasta, Banana Bread
An easy pasta recipe with your favourite sauces, herbs and veggies is a great addition to the lunch box ideas. Banana bread savours those with a sweet tooth.
30. Whole Wheat Healthy Mix Blueberry Pancake, Honey & Fruit Salad
Whole wheat blueberry pancakes sound only so delicious. We bet you kids will give you a star for this lunch recipe. Enjoy it with fruit salad.
Do share your favourite healthy lunch box ideas with us below.
Divya Iyer is a food enthusiast and a mom of two little girls. She lives in Chicago, USA. Her kids are very picky eaters and food critics that made Divya start working on quick and easy lunch box ideas. She strives to make food interesting and colourful and healthy too.