What’s for Lunch?

Simple and healthy back to school lunch ideas that are healthy and delicious

By Christina Thomas

As we all know by now, things are gradually going back to some semblance of normal. It’s finally fall, and schools are reopening, and many are going back to work. While that is the case, one thing many may struggle with is finding quick and easy meals for a work or school day. It’s easy to stop by at the nearest fast-food restaurant and pick up something quick, but as the days go by, the money that is being spent will continue to add up and you will realize that it’s actually not saving you money. In addition to that, making your own lunch for work or for your kids is much healthier in the long run. During an eight-hour work or school day it is important to fill up with nutritious food that will give you more energy and keep you sustained. There are several meal ideas that you can do for work or for your child’s school lunch.

A classic plan that is as simple as it gets is packing leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. This is not something that requires much thought, you just need some Tupperware and probably access to a microwave depending on what the meal is. Besides, leftovers are always good the next day! Sandwiches of your choice are another option; they are typically quick and easy to make, and you can have fun with it as well.

If you or your child are a person who prefers packing a lot of snacks for lunch, no worries, we have plenty of ideas for you too.

Muffins

They can be the mini ones or those larger ones and there are many flavors that are quite healthy like blueberry, strawberry, carrot cake, banana nut, and many more. There are also the sweeter alternatives like chocolate for those who prefer sweeter muffins.

Yogurt

Like muffins, this is a snack that has a plethora of flavors and can be enjoyed if you like healthy or sweet flavors. You could also add your own garnishes like fruit or granola.

Fruits

Any fruits you like will do, you can even mix and match them. There are so many options from strawberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes, apples, oranges, etc., you’re bound to find something that works for you.

Vegetables

It doesn’t have to be a lot but having some is really beneficial to one’s diet. Even if it’s just a few carrots or broccoli or celery sticks, vegetables are a nice, healthy addition to a daily lunch.

Crackers/Chips

If you didn’t know, there are healthy chips and crackers out there that have some amazing flavors. While I love a good bag of Lay’s sometimes, I’d recommend sticking to something healthier for a long-term lunch plan.

Granola (or cereal of your choice)

As mentioned earlier, you can add granola to your yogurt if you would like, but you could also have this as a snack in its own. It doesn’t have to be granola; it could be any cereal really.

Nuts

This can be mixed nuts or just peanuts, almonds, cashews, anything really. You could mix this with the granola or put it in your yogurt or eat it on its own.

Incorporating reusable containers and water bottles as well as having a lunch bag are important as well. Rather than spending money on plastic bags (that are bad for the environment), you can put your lunch items inside Tupperware and bring water in a reusable water bottle. This will also save money on the utensils used for your lunch.

There are so many more options out there, it just takes some proper searching and planning. Take some time to go to your local health food store and you may even get some ideas of your own there. Obviously, you can mix and match any of the things on this list or you cannot use any of them, but it is important to remember how much packing your own lunch for work and school will benefit you in the long run.