Both of my son’s daughters would prefer a salad over a hamburger on any given day, but recently one of my granddaughters has decided that she doesn’t want to eat meat. This change in her eating habits made me realize that I had fallen into a bit of a rut when it comes to the kid’s lunches… a sandwich, bag of chips, a piece of fruit… you get the picture. I’ve had to become more creative and seek out vegetarian lunch ideas for the kids from places like Pinterest and kid’s cookbooks, and have come up with some pretty delicious and healthy ideas.
Vegetarian Lunch Ideas for Kids
Cheese Quesadilla has fast become a lunchtime favorite of ours,and takes no more time to make than a typical sandwich. All you need are two tortillas, about 1/2 cup of grated Cheddar cheese, and cooking spray. I try to keep things colorful and healthy by adding foods like cherry tomatoes, olives, and zucchini flowers to the lunchbox.
To make the zucchini flowers, simply slice the zucchini into 1/4 inch pieces. Use a small flower shaped cutter to cut out shapes.
For school lunch I’ll add to the above a carton of shelf safe milk, and something like applesauce.
Here are some more vegetarian lunchbox ideas for kids:
Proteins:
hard boiled eggs
peanut butter sandwiches made with graham crackers
baked tofu
beans or bean salad
hummus
bean burrito
Dairy:
cheese cubes
cottage cheese
yogurt
string cheese
Fruits:
grapes
apple slices
bananas
berries
melon chunks
dried fruit
Veggies:
sliced cucumber
carrot sticks
bell pepper strips
edamame
sugar snap peas
celery sticks
For the pickiest of eaters, there is always a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! What suggestions do you have for children who don’t eat meat? I’d love to hear them!
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What a great list of ideas and I gotta tell ya I really like that you used a cookie cutter to make the cucumber look adorable.
I love the cookie cutter idea. @ out of my 3 kids had no problems eating their veggies but the other one, nothing could convince or trick him
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
that is so cool, great ideas with the cookie cutters and all, thanks for the great ideas
Trader joe’s “meatless balls” (sold frozen) are an awesome high protein choice, perfect to dip in marinara sauce. We also make a chickpea salad kind like tuna salad and use for wraps, and cuties are a favorite right now
I am a vegetarian, so I appreciate you posting this. I’m always looking for inspiration too. I like your suggestions–especially the zucchini flowers. Thanks!
I like the zucchini cut-outs, but I would put them on a bed or the outer pieces starightened out either like stems or grass
Great ideas! We pack a lot of vegetarian lunches in our house too. 🙂