Healthy Lunch Box Inspiration For Kids Who Don’t Do Sandwiches

This content was created for Families Magazine by Elise Clarkson from Pixels and Sunshine.

If your little one (or you) is over sandwiches and crackers, take some inspiration from these simple, colourful lunch box fillers to break the boredom and fill tummies.

Looking for a better lunchbox? We reviewed lunchboxes here.

Brown rice and Broccollini Salad

Got leftover rice? This recipe is a great way to use it up. It’s also great for adding a yummy burst of colour to lunch boxes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 bunch of broccolini
• 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice

Directions:

1. Cut broccollini into bite size pieces including stalks
2. Steam or boil until cooked
3. Mix with pre-cooked rice and cheese
4. Squeeze a lemon over the top, and mix to combine
5. Add salt and pepper to taste

Sweetheart Fruit Salad

A very simple and sweet fruit salad, that is a lovely way to brighten up a little lunch box.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 slices of watermelon • 1⁄2 cup of strawberries • 1⁄2 cup of blueberries

Directions:

1. Slice your watermelon into approximately half-centimeter thick slices
2. Using a heart shape cookie cutter, cut out as many hearts as you can from each watermelon slice
3. Slice up the strawberries lengthwise cutting out a little “V” at the top to accentuate the heart shape
4. Add the watermelon, strawberries and blueberries to a bowl and mix together.
5. Pop into liquid safe containers and you’re good to go.
6. Makes enough fruit salad for two little sweethearts, or one big sweetheart

Blueberry Banana Muffin Bites

These blueberry and banana muffins bites are a no sugar, no dairy, no fuss recipe. So simple to make and great for little tummies … oh, and big ones too, of course.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sliced banana • 1 cup of blueberries • 2 eggs

Directions:

1. In a bowl mix the banana and eggs together, and then add in the blueberries
2. Spoon the mix into a non stick mini muffin tray
3. Place into a pre-heated oven at 180o for 10-15mins
4. Makes approx 20 mini muffins

Sweet Potato Dip

Bright, colourful and yummy – this sweet potato dip will have them racing to empty their lunch boxes.

Ingredients:

• 350gram sweet potato (1 small)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of cumin
• 2 tablespoons of water
• A dash of olive oil
• 1-2 soft tortillas

Directions:

1. Steam sweet potato until well cooked and very soft
2. In a food processor add the cooled sweet potato, cumin, water and dash of olive oil
3. Mix for at least two minutes or until dip is a smooth and creamy in consistency
4. Serve with a soft tortilla cut into triangles