One of the biggest dilemmas that parents face is regarding the meals of their kids are healthy lunch ideas kids will eat. On one hand, they must cook nutritious lunches so that their children eat a balanced diet. But, if they choose nutrition over taste, the kids will not even touch the food.
But, just as today there is a way to do biology homework online, without compromising on quality and deadlines, what if there was a way to cook food that was both healthy and tasty? Well, now there is.
In this article we will discuss some nutritious lunch ideas that you can make at home that give your children the nutrients they need, provide them with the energy to stay active throughout the day, and keep them filled without compromising on taste.
#1. Quinoa Veggie Tots
Quinoa is one of the healthiest and gluten-free options among grains for kids. It contains all the amino acids we need and is rich in proteins.
These lunch ideas combined with vegetables, form a complete meal for your child. To make this dish, cook one cup of quinoa according to package directions, but let it overcook slightly to make it sticky.
In the meantime, steam some chopped broccoli, carrots, and peas. Then, mash them into a grainy paste. Mix equal portions of quinoa and vegetable paste, along with half teaspoons each of garlic and onion powders, salt and pepper according to taste, and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast.
Preheat an oven to 400°F and prep a baking tray with a sheet and oil. Roll balls of the mixture, place on the tray, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.
#2. Blueberry Chia Pudding
Both blueberry and chia seeds are considered superfoods, making this pudding a powerhouse of nutrients and flavors. A major advantage of this dish is that it requires very few ingredients to prepare.
For these lunch ideas, all you need is half a cup of preferably fresh blueberries, one cup of milk or unsweetened milk substitute, maple syrup or honey according to taste, and optionally, a pinch of cinnamon powder and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Blend all these ingredients into a smooth mixture and pour into a bowl or glass. Take one-third of a cup of chia seeds and mix them in homogenously. Break down any clumps, let it rest for 10-15 minutes, and then, refrigerate or eat fresh with toppings of your choice.
#3. Turkey Taco Salad
Salads have a lot of potential to be both healthy and tasty. Add typical taco elements to these lunch ideas and you get a dish that can be the entire main course.
To make it, take olive oil in a skillet and cook the ground turkey with taco seasoning (packaged or homemade). Halfway through, add chopped onions, red and yellow, peppers, garlic, black beans, and salsa, and stir.
Take a serving bowl, line with romaine lettuce, and top with halved cherry tomatoes, corn, excess cooked beans, chopped cheddar cheese, and the turkey.
Sprinkle chopped cilantro, peppers, green onions, and any other topping of choice.
Garnish with lime juice, add a dressing of choice, and serve. You have full freedom to add any other ingredients of your choice to the salad, topping, and dressing.
#4. Orange Turkey Croissants
This is perhaps one of easiest lunch ideas recipes on this list. If you are short on time and do not want to compromise on either the taste or nutritional value of the lunch of your child, this croissant sandwich is the way to go. You need exactly five ingredients only for this dish. The first step is to get croissants and split them horizontally into two equal halves.
Take easily spreadable cream cheese and coat one-half of the croissants with it. Next, spread marmalade over the cream cheese. Take some chopped pecans and sprinkle them on the marmalade. Slice deli turkey thinly and place them right on top. Cover with the other half of the croissant and you are done.
#5. Shredded Veggie Muffins
Savory veggie muffins are perfect lunch ideas for picky eaters. You get to add those greens to their diet and they get to eat it in a tasty form. For this, take zucchini and carrots, both grated and completely squeezed and drained, chopped broccoli florets, peas, and corn in a mixing bowl, and mix well.
In another bowl, take a quarter cup of olive oil, two eggs, two cups of whole wheat flour, 2-3 teaspoons of baking powder, one cup of milk, salt, seasoning, and herbs to taste. Mix into a batter and add to the veggie mix, along with one cup of grated cheese.
Pre-heat an oven to 350°F, take a muffin tray, line with oiled muffin cups, and put scoops of the above mixture in it. Bake for 20-25 minutes, cool, and serve your kids.
Wrap Up
A healthy, tasty lunch is as much the dream of a kid as it is of the parents. These health lunch ideas will keep your children off fast foods without making them grumpy. Now you can help power your kid’s day with healthy and nutritious lunches.
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