Image source: Monique Taylor-Yee Shui
Sandwiches are a lunch staple for a reason—quick to prepare, easy to eat and oh-so-simple. So it can feel like a blow when your kid suddenly announces they never want to eat another sandwich again.
Luckily, there are other options that are just as easy for you to make and for them to eat—we promise!
These simple healthy lunch ideas were created by DIY and food expert Monique Taylor-Yee Shui (A.K.A. @bymeaux on Instagram!) and taste-tested by her daughters, Sydney and Savannah. Best of all, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your fridge and pantry.
1Turkey Cheese Rolls
Image source: Monique Taylor-Yee Shui
Ready in: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Why we love it: Basically a breadless sandwich, this simple recipe turns sweet apple, savoury cheese and salty turkey (or ham) slices into flavourful handheld pockets.
How to prep: It’s easy for kids to help make these pockets—simply lay down slices of turkey or ham and have them place a piece of cheese and an apple wedge in the centre of each one. Then, fold and repeat until there’s enough. Serve with your kid’s favourite fresh fruit and vegetables, and don’t forget to throw in a starchy carb for a complete meal—we recommend sweet potato chips, crackers or popcorn.
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2Brunch Yogurt Parfait
Image source: Monique Taylor-Yee Shui
Ready in: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- Greek yogurt
- Nut-free granola or cereal
- Blueberries
- Honey (optional)
- Dried cranberries or apricots (optional)
Why we love it: Lunch can get a little tired, but brunch? That’s a meal that never gets old!
How to prep: Scoop Greek yogurt into a container. Next, add honey, blueberries or a fresh fruit of your choice to another container—or better yet, save on dishes and simply add them to the yogurt. Then, pour granola or another crunchy nut-free cereal into its own container—keep this separate from the fruit and yogurt to maintain crunch. Make it fancy by tossing in some favourite dried fruits such as cranberries or apricots. To complete the meal, serve with a side of veggies, like carrots or cucumbers.
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3Veggie Rice Paper Wraps
Image source: Monique Taylor-Yee Shui
Ingredients:
- Rice paper wraps or lettuce leaves
- Leftover chicken, tofu or cooked shrimp
- Coleslaw mix
- Sliced red and yellow peppers
Why we love it: Filled with veggies, these super-healthy lunch treats are also a blast to make! And rice paper wraps are a great pantry staple to have on hand for when you’re short on bread or wraps.
How to prep: Start by creating a workstation so you have your wrap fillings close at hand. Working with one wrapper at a time, follow the package directions for soaking the rice rolls—a pie plate is a perfectly-sized vessel. Place a little filling in the middle of the softened wrap and fold it up like a burrito. Repeat with another wrap, then slice each wrap in half with a sharp knife, and place in the lunchbox with a slightly moistened paper towel (this will prevent them from drying). If using lettuce leaves, you can lay them out and fill them all at once before rolling individually, and skip the moistened towel. Serve with fresh fruit, cheese cubes and a little chocolate treat.
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