Healthy Recipes for Kids: Quick Lunchboxes - 10-15 Minutes to Prepare Your Child's Lunch

You've probably heard the saying "we eat with our eyes" - presentation matters, especially for children. An attractive and colorful meal significantly increases the chances that a child will want to try it! So, if you have a picky eater at home, pay extra attention to how you present meals. 

When preparing a meal for your child, stick to a few simple rules:

1. Include a source of carbohydrates (e.g., whole grain bread, tortilla), protein (e.g., cheese, yogurt), and fat (e.g., nuts, seeds). 

2. Include a portion of vegetables and fruits. 

3. Don't forget to pack water to drink! 

Here are some suggestions from me: 

Cream Cheese and Ham Tortilla

Spread 2 teaspoons of cream cheese (like Almette) on the tortilla, lay ham and cheese along one side. Place arugula all over the tortilla, roll it up. Bake for 3-4 minutes in the oven. 
Add cherry tomatoes and bell pepper strips to the lunchbox.
Include a favorite fruit, like a banana. 

Favorite Sandwich 

On one slice of bread, place arugula and thinly sliced mozzarella (the ball type), and tomato slices. Spread pesto on the other slice (store-bought is fine). Put the two slices together, optionally toast for 1-2 minutes so the mozzarella "glues" the sandwich. 
Add a pear and baby carrots with cucumber sticks to the lunchbox. 

Cheese with Veggies (Express Version!)

Place cottage cheese in the lunchbox, bread, sliced cucumber and radishes, pumpkin seeds.
Include an apple.
(Don't forget a spoon!) 

Salad 

Add a handful of arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, a handful of nuts, diced cucumber, mozzarella pieces, and 1-2 tablespoons of chickpeas to a container.
*Best to roast chickpeas in the oven or pan with favorite spices (3-4 min).
Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and/or lemon juice. 
Add rice cakes to the lunchbox and, for example, fruit yogurt - ✅ find good fruit yogurts here!

Pancakes

✅ Find the recipe for quick and easy pancakes here! 
Add fruits like raspberries and blueberries to a separate compartment. Add a handful of almonds or nuts. 
Include a portion of vegetables, for example, in the form of veggie skewers (bell pepper, zucchini, cucumber, radish, cherry tomato). 

Egg Sandwich 

Boil an egg until hard. Peel and slice it. Mash ripe avocado with a fork (you can add a bit of lemon juice) and spread it on two slices of bread. On one slice, place the egg, tomato slices, and add a pinch of pepper. On the other slice, add lettuce and combine the sandwiches. 
Add fruits like grapes to the second compartment. 
In the third, sliced carrots and celery sticks.

Grilled Tortilla in a Toaster

Spread sun-dried tomato paste evenly on a tortilla (you can substitute with other pestos or vegetable spreads).  Sprinkle with grated mozzarella. Spread spinach or arugula leaves over the cheese. Lay tomato slices on the leaf layer. Fold the tortilla in half. Place it in the toaster and grill for a few minutes (baking time depends on the power of the toaster, so be careful and monitor the process). 
When the tortilla is golden and the cheese has melted, remove it from the toaster. 
Cut into smaller pieces (creating half-moons).
Add fruits like plums and a handful of favorite nuts like walnuts to the remaining compartments.

These simple and quick lunchbox recipes will ensure your child's daily meal is tasty, healthy, and appealing. They take just a few minutes to prepare, so even in a hurry, you can provide delicious and nutritious meals for your child.

Read also: 

• Simple and Quick Dinner Meals for Families with Children. A Weekly Dinner Plan for a Family of 4

• What to Make for Family Dinner in September?

• Is It Worth Drinking Yogurts? Fruit Yogurts with Good Ingredients