Exciting lunchbox ideas

Another long year of school lunches looming? Read on for lunchbox inspiration that’s sure to keep the kids happy – and healthy.

Ideas for getting vegetables in the lunchbox

• cherry tomatoes – pop in with a cube, slice or wedge of cheese
• corn fritters
• cheese and corn muffins
• mini vege quiches – make in muffin pan
• celery stick with peanut butter
• corn on the cob – cut in quarters
• carrot or capsicum sticks – on their own or with hummus
• snow or sugar snap peas
• ham and vegetable frittata
• traffic light skewers: cherry tomato, orange capsicum and cucumber on sticks

Lunchbox-friendly fruit

• grapes
• strawberries
• dried fruit – apricots, dates, raisins, figs, craisins – package on their own or as part of a scroggin mix with nuts and plain popcorn
• pear quarters
• mandarin
• kiwifruit – cut in half and pack with a spoon
• baby apple
• fresh pineapple chunks
• pottle of diced fruit

Great snacks

• mini bagels
• rice crackers
• pita crisps
• mini bag of popcorn
• pretzels
• rice chips
• small baked potatoes
• cheese triangles
• baby carrots
• salami sticks
• dried apricots
• jellies with fruit

New sandwich fillings

• corned beef, lettuce and tomato
• roast beef, chutney and lettuce
• creamed corn and grated cheese
• Marmite and sliced avocado
• asparagus rolls
• avocado and grated carrot
• hummus and crunchy sprouts
• tuna, hummus and tomato grainy roll
• ham and cheese on light rye bread
• hard-boiled egg mashed with mayonnaise on wholemeal bread
• Lebanese wrap spread with peanut butter, rolled and cut in thirds
• cucumber, grated carrot and reduced-fat cream cheese
• pita bread filled with mini meatballs (left over from dinner), lettuce and chutney or tomato sauce
• ploughman’s lunch: thick slices of bread, hunk of cheese, dollop of relish and a few cherry tomatoes
• roast chicken and coleslaw roll
• pita bread with feta cheese and roast vegetables (leftovers from dinner)
• tomato, basil and mozzarella in baguette slices
• avocado, turkey and cranberry sauce
• low-fat cottage cheese and chopped dates
• fruit or walnut bread and reduced-fat cream cheese

Old favourite sandwich fillings

• Marmite, cheese and lettuce
• ham and cheese (and chutney or whole grain mustard if your kids like it)
• diced chicken (try ready-cooked or canned chicken) mixed with a bit of mayonnaise and lettuce
• sliced chicken
• traditional filled roll (ham or chicken and salad)
• tomato and cheese sandwiches (put the tomato between the cheese to stop bread going soggy)
• egg and mayonnaise
• salmon or tuna mixed with a bit of mayonnaise and lettuce
• wraps (cut in smaller bits) with reduced-fat cream cheese, tomato relish, ham, lettuce
• banana sandwiches
• peanut butter and jam
• peanut butter and honey
• fairy bread sandwiches with sprinkles (for special occasions!)

Handy lunchbox recipes

Savoury

Lentil sausage rolls
Moroccan lamb meatballs
Crunchy nuggets
HFG meat loaf
Smarter sausage rolls

Sweet treats

Banana and walnut muffins
Simple cupcakes
Fruit loaf
Big fat zero cupcakes
Raspberry yoghurt loaf recipe
HFG blueberry muffins
Carrot and nut cake
Soy banana bran muffins
Fruit leathers
Light and tasty Weet-Bix muffins
Smart slice

Easy leftover ideas

• slices of quiche or frittata – or make mini ones, freeze, then take out the night before
• corned beef hash – leftover corn beef, mashed potato and onion made into patties
• cold slice of pizza
• cold fish fingers
• cold pasta dish
• leftover roast veges
• corned beef slices (not canned)