Healthy Lunch Options
Nutrients
Nutrients are the substances in our food that help our bodies grow, stay healthy, and keep moving. Eating just one type of food will not give our bodies adequate nutrition.
In order to receive all the nutrients we need, it is important to consume a variety of foods. This is because many different nutrients play important roles in satisfying our bodies’ needs.
You can add foods with these nutrients to make a healthy, fun lunch: Protein, Vitamins, Minerals, Carbohydrates, Fats, and Water.
Try some of our favorite healthy lunch options to enhance your nutrient game.
Classic Lunch Box
Total prep time: 5 to 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- Crackers
- Lunchmeat (ham most likely)
- Cheddar cheese
- Apple Slices
- Carrots
- Peanut Butter Cup
Instructions:
- Gather all your ingredients and your lunch box together.
- Place the crackers, cheese, and lunchmeat into the largest section of the lunch box.
- Add your apple slices to the next largest section of the lunch box.
- Put the carrots in one of the smaller sections of the lunch box.
- Place your peanut butter cup in another smaller section of the lunch box.
- Close the lid and add an ice pack or store in a refrigerator until it’s time to enjoy.
Charcuterie Lunch Box
Total prep time: 5 to 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- Seasoned sausage or meat of your choice
- Gouda cheese slices
- Grapes
- Crackers of your choice
- Vegetable of your choice
Instructions:
- Cut the meat and cheese into thin slices.
- Add the meat, cheese, and crackers to the largest section of your lunch box.
- Place the grapes (on the vine or without is up to you) in the next largest section.
- Put the veggie of your choice into another section of the lunch box.
- Add any extra cheese, meats, or crackers for variety.
- Close the lid and add an ice pack or store in a refrigerator until it’s time to enjoy.
Midwest Favorites Lunch Box
Total prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- Apple slices
- Peanut butter
- Ranch
- Carrots/broccoli
- Rice
- Pre-cooked Pulled pork
- Instant rice
Instructions:
- Use a microwave to heat the instant rice and warm up the pulled pork.
- Place the rice in the largest section of your lunch box.
- Add the pulled pork on top of the rice in the same section.
- Put the apple slices into the next largest section of the lunch box.
- Add peanut butter to the section with the apple slices.
- Add the carrots and broccoli to one of the remaining sections.
- Place the ranch dressing in the small sealable container in the lunch box to prevent spilling.
- Close the lid and add an ice pack or store in a refrigerator until it’s time to enjoy.
- At lunchtime you can heat up the rice and pulled pork in the microwave.