Thinking Outside the Lunch Box Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions This information has been reviewed and approved by Emily McCloud, RS, MD, July 2016. Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: Summary: Thinking Outside the Lunch Box Refresh family lunches with these nutritious and fun ideas! Breaking Bread — sandwiches Cucumber boats/medallions/slices Lettuce wraps Pretzel stick kabob Sweet bell pepper cups Tomato top and bottom Whole grain wraps Low carb tortillas Whole grain pitas Whole grain crackers Cream of the Crop — select lean protein sources Canned tuna or chicken Hard-boiled eggs Hummus or beans Low-fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt Meat leftovers Nut or seed butter Pasta or quinoa salad Quiche muffins Reduced fat cheese Shelled edamame Go Bananas — quick to make and eat fruits Apple Banana Berries Grapes Kiwi cup (cut top off and eat with spoon) Melon cubes No-sugar added/light syrup fruit cups Veg Out — tasty veggies and dips Avocado slices (sprinkled with lemon juice) Baby carrots/dip/nut butter Bell pepper strips/dip/hummus Broccoli/lite dressing/dip Cauliflower/lite dressing/dip Celery/hummus Cherry tomatoes Cucumber chunks/dip You Take the Cake — low sugar treats Check package for serving size ¼ cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds 10 to 12 almonds, pistachios or walnuts Air-popped popcorn/salt-free seasoning Whole grain gold fish crackers Whole grain tortilla chips/salsa No-sugar applesauce 10 to 12 dark chocolate chips Animal crackers No-sugar pudding cups Homemade low-sugar cookies My Cup of Tea — low or no sugar drink options Water with fruit or veggies Green tea/a few drops of honey Seltzer water/splash of 100 percent juice Sparkling or seltzer water/slices of lemon or lime Low-sodium vegetable juice Iced tea, unsweetened No sugar added juice Unsweetened soy or almond milk Low-fat or fat-free milk Fun and Games — add a little fun Food cut into fun shapes Kabobs on a lollipop stick Stickers on packaging and utensils Muffin papers instead of bags Crinkle or spiral cut veggies Colored sponges made into icepacks Child’s name on banana Providing healthy food and drinks will help fuel your children for learning! Other Resources Back to School Nutrition Tips Proper Hydration Healthy Snacking Why Breakfast Matters Healthy Recipes You may use this infographic or our Thinking Outside the Lunchbox (PDF) with permission by completing our content usage request form.