100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (2024)

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas! Eating on-the-go doesn't have to be complicated! Just stick to nourishing, unprocessed, real food! Need some inspiration? Here's over 100 gluten-free real food lunchbox ideas to get you started!

this RECIPE

Packing lunches doesn't have to be dull and boring.

Whether you're on-the-go, needing to come up with ideas for school lunches, or wanting to find someinspiration to get out of a food rut, I've got you covered with over 100 gluten-free, real food lunch ideas.

Packing a lunch is actually pretty simple. Just keep it real, unprocessed and make it fun.

Leftovers are always great and make excellent additions for lunches. Fresh veggies and fruits are super simple - just eat with the season and choose what sounds best to you. And keep it full of flavor so you make your taste buds happy!

Go ahead and live a little too, I am all for having some yummy treats. Remember ... keep it simple and don't make yourself crazy making an elaborate lunch. Just have fun with it!

Here's a peak at one of my recent real food lunchbox ideas for on-the-go lunches.

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (2)

I packed a bunch of goodies that I shared with my Tiny Love. For the main protein, I made organic ham rollups with raw organic cheddar cheese and fermented pickles {I always like to include at least one fermented food with our meals}.

I filled up the larger round container with grass-fed organic whole plain yogurt, with a little bit of my favoritegrass-fed collagenmixed in for extra protein and drizzled with raw honey {we added blueberries to it too}.

For organic veggies, I packed some carrots, cucumber and Sungold cherry tomatoes. The little round container has organic cultured sour cream {Nancy's brand} with a little bit of Celticsea salt and some spices mixed into it for a homemade french onion veggie dip.

For the organic fruit, I packed some white nectarines, plums and blueberries {eat with the season}. I added a few delicious organic Medjool dates, removed the pits and put some sea salted macadamia nuts in them for a little extra healthy fat.

And of course, I always need a little bit of sweet with my meals ... chocolate always has a special place in my heart. There's a few squares of my favoritefair-trade, organic chocolate caramel crunch with sea salt barin the center.

Not shown in the photo is kombucha. We almost always have a fermented drink like kombucha, water kefir or Switchel with our meals. One of my favorite brands is GT's Kombucha. My family's favorite flavors are Trilogy, Guava Goddess, Gingerade and Passionberry Bliss.

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (3)

My kids and I love this eco-friendly lunchbox container from PlanetBoxthat I packed this lunch in.It's come in handy several times this summer on day trips and outings.

My girls also love to sit together and use it as a tray at home for lunch, each of them using one side of the tray ... they think it's pretty cool. It also comes with an insulated fabric carry bag that has compartments for utensils, napkins, and a small drink bottle.

My little one, Tiny Love calls it her purse ... too cute. Ours came with some fun ocean-themed magnets that the girls like to stick on the container. It adds a little fun flair.Like the lunchbox? Get it here.

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (4)

Main CourseReal Food Lunchbox Ideas

AIP Breakfast Pork Sausage from What Great Grandma Ate

Homemade Maple Apple Chicken Breakfast Sausagesby yours truly {pictured above}

Ham Cream Cheese Pickle Roll Ups from Wholesome Yum

Easy Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dipping Saucefrom Allergy Free Alaska

Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets from Whole New Mom

Low Carb Cajun Cauliflower Mini Dogs from Beauty and the Foodie

Healthy Tuna Salad & Cucumber Bites without Mayofrom The Rising Spoon

Chelo Kebabs and Cucumber Yogurt Salad from And Here We Are

Spring Rolls with Rice and Eggs from Prepare & Nourish

Yes You Can: Cure and Smoke Your Own Hamfrom And Here We Are

Classic Deviled Eggs and Guacamole Devils from Common Sense Homesteading

Ground Beef Jerky from Common Sense Homesteading

Cheap & Easy Beef Jerky Strips from Allergy Free Alaska

"Roadkill" Sandwich Spread or Dip from Common Sense Homesteading

Humble Salmon Patties from Eat Beautiful

Zucchini Salmon Cakes from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Paleo Salmon Cakes from A Girl Worth Saving

Summer Veggie Pasta Salad from Strength & Sunshine

Cheezy Roasted Vegetable Quinoa from Strength & Sunshine

Lemon, Garlic Quinoa Salad from Peace, Love & Kale withCarly Shankman

Homemade Potato Saladby yours truly

Gluten Free Broccoli Fritters with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauceby yours truly

Meat & Potato Muffins from Next Breakfast

Bacon Egg Cheddar & Kale Breakfast Muffins from The Rising Spoon

Smoked Salmon and Cabbage Frittata from Next Breakfast

Healthy Instant Pot Bacon Broccoli Frittataby yours truly

Kale and Bacon Quiches with Hash Brown Crust from A Calculated Whisk

Crustless Spring Quicheby yours truly

Grain Free Pizza Quichebyyours truly

Spicy Zuppa Toscana {Potato & Sausage} Soupfrom The Rising Spoon

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (5)

Snacks, Crackers & Dips Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Almond Butter Stuffed Dates from Holistic Health Herbalist

Salted Crispy Almonds from Raising Generation Nourished

No Bake Energy Bites from Eat Pray Love ... More

Chocolate Coconut Almond Spread from This Is So Good

Coconut Macadamia Paleo Protein Balls from The Paleo Fix

Cranberry-Walnut Powerballs from Common Sense Homesteading

Strawberry Coconut Bites from This Is So Good

Cinnamon Apple Chips from This Is So Good

Homemade Gluten Free Cheddar Cheese Crackersby yours truly

Simple & Quick Homemade Crackers from Raising Generation Nourished

Simple 5 Ingredient Blender Batter Crackers from Raising Generation Nourished

Homemade "Cheez It" Crackers from Whole New Mom

Vegan Homemade Crackers from Lentils from Whole New Mom

Gluten Free Buttermilk Rice Crackers from Raia's Recipes

Gluten-Free Garlic & Herb Sourdough Crackers from Raia's Recipes {pictured above}

Nut Free Paleo Crackers from What Great Grandma Ate

Almond Crackers - Rosemary and Cinnamon Honey from This Is So Good

Simple Soaked Gluten Free Crackers from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Pumpkin Spice Graham Crackers from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Healthy Rice Cake Topping Ideasby yours truly

Zucchini Chips from Wholesome Yum

Cajun-Seasoned Sweet Potato Fries from Prepare & Nourish

Paleo Blueberry Granola from Raising Generation Nourished

Simple Cinnamon Granola from Raising Generation Nourished

Strawberry Granola fromThis Is So Good

Banana Granola from This Is So Good

Goji Berry Paleo Granola from What Great Grandma Ate

Paleo Chia Honey Power Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars from Red and Honey

Instant Pot Applesauce in 3 Minutesby yours truly

3 Minute Sugar Free Instant Pot Pear Applesauceby yours truly

Popcorn - Sweet, Savory, Spicy and Covered in Chocolate from The Organic Kitchen

Surprisingly Good Seasoned Popcorn from Whole New Mom

"Dorito" Flavored Popcorn from Whole New Mom

Can't Stop Eating 'Em Crispy Green Bean Chips from Whole New Mom

Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Chips from Happy Mothering

Crunchy Maple Cinnamon Chickpeas from Eat Pray Love ... More

Roasted Smoked Paprika Cinnamon Chickpeas from Strength & Sunshine

Honey Chipotle Snack Mix from A Girl Worth Saving

Southwest Roasted Sweet Potato Dip from Studio Botanica

Real Food Pimento Cheeseby yours truly

Healthy Beet Cashew Dipby yours truly

Babaganoush from And Here We Are

Sardines Dip from Grass Fed Girl

Paleo 7 Layer Bean Free Dip from Eat Beautiful

Garlic Kale Hummus from Strength & Sunshine

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus from Strength & Sunshine

Easy Kosher Dills from Raia's Recipes

Homemade Refrigerator Picklesby yours truly

Ginger-Lime Salsa with Kiwi, Jicama and Tomatillos from Eat Beautiful

Fresh Summer Salsa with Cucumberby yours truly

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice from Strength & Sunshine

Onion Bhajis from Next Breakfast

Potato Puffs from Our Small Hours

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (6)

Muffins & BarsReal Food Lunchbox Ideas

Grain Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffinsby yours truly

Mini Eggnog Donut Muffins from Hybrid Rasta Mama

Grain Free Protein-Packed Blueberry Muffinsby yours truly{pictured above}

Protein-Packed Paleo Blueberry Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffinsby yours truly

Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins from Hybrid Rasta Mama & The Herbal Spoon

Blueberry Muffins from Raising Generation Nourished

Protein-Packed Grain Free Chocolate Banana Muffinsby yours truly

Pizza Muffins from Raising Generation Nourished

Soaked Granola Muffins from Raia's Recipes

Zucchini Banana Muffins from This Is So Good

Chunky Monkey Muffins from This Is So Good

Power Breakfast Muffins from Strength & Sunshine

Sour Cream Cherry Coffee Cake Muffinsby yours truly

Energy Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Simple Soaked Granola Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Molasses Protein Snack Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Bars from Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Simple Soaked Quinoa Bars from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

No Bake Nut-Free Chocolate Date Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Cornbread from Raia's Recipes

Gluten FreeHoney Butter Glazed Cornbreadby yours truly

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (7)

Breads & WrapsReal Food Lunchbox Ideas

Focaccia Flax Bread from Whole New Mom

Honey Flax Bread from Raia's Recipes

Gluten Free Flat Bread from Prepare & Nourish

Gluten Free "White" Bread from Allergy Free Alaska

Gluten-Free Pita Bread from Raising Generation Nourished {pictured above}

Low Carb Paleo Tortillas with Coconut Flourfrom Wholesome Yum

4 Ingredient Paleo Crepes from Prepare & Nourish

Zucchini Lemon Waffles {Grain Free}by yours truly

Healthy Paleo Protein Packed Orange Vanilla Wafflesby yours truly

Instant Pot Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Breadby yours truly

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (8)

Gummies & Fruit LeatherReal Food Lunchbox Ideas

Winter Squash Fruit Leather from Eat Beautiful

Strawberry Fruit Roll-Up from Life Currants

Homemade Fruit Snacks from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Honey Orange Fruit Snacks from Raia's Recipes

Homemade Healthy Kombucha FruitSnacks from Homemade Mommy

Probiotic Raspberry Fruit Chews from Happy Healthnut

Homemade Chocolate Gummiesby yours truly

Concord Grape Gummiesby yours truly

Kombucha Lemon Gummies from Raia's Recipes

Grapefruit Gummies from Raia's Recipes

Pumpkin Pie Gummies from Raia's Recipes

Ginger Honey Gummy Snacks from It's a love/love thing

Fruit and Veggie Gummy Snacks from Live Simply

Antioxidant Rich Berry Gummies from Raising Generation Nourished

Melon Gummies from Delicious Obsessions and Raising Generation Nourished

Ice Cream Flavored Yogurt Gummies from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Zucchini Gummy Candy from Common Sense Homesteading

Strawberry-Banana Gummy Candy from Common Sense Homesteading {pictured above}

Immune System Supporting Elderberry & Kombucha Gummies from Food Your Body Will Thank You For

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (9)

Sweet TreatReal Food Lunchbox Ideas

Fudgy Grain Free Brownies {Paleo + Nut Free}by yours truly{pictured above}

Vitamin C Hibiscus Rose Hip Marshmallowsby yours truly

Healthy Brownie Bites from Primally Inspired

Raw Chocolate Macaroons from Eat Pray Love ... More

Raw Cacao Surprise Bites from Loveurbelly

Chocolate Covered Almonds from A Calculated Whisk

Caramel Glazed Macadamia Nuts from Delicious Obsessions

by yours truly

Grain Free Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookiesby yours truly

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Cookies from Raia's Recipes

2 Ingredient Banana Coconut Cookies from Grok Grub

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies from Raia's Recipes

Grain-Free Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies from Tasty Yummies

Gluten Free Inside Out Oreos from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Grain Free Chocolate Crinklesby yours truly

Grain Free Ginger Molasses Cookiesby yours truly

Cherry Chocolate Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Sweet Potato Pecan Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Fudgy Pecan Pie Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Paleo Lemon Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Homemade Smores Bars {Grain Free}by yours truly

Smooth Chocolate Chia Puddingby yours truly

5 Minute Healthy Instant Pot Chocolate Puddingby yours truly

Easy Real Food Strawberry Panna Cottaby yours truly

Golden Milk Custard with Cookie Crumbby yours truly

Chocolate Cinnamon Gelatin Jigglers from Food Your Body Will Thank You For

Cherry Rhubarb Jello from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Homemade Orange Jelloby yours truly

Homemade Herbal Tea Jelloby yours truly

Sunshine Jello from Clean Eating Kitchen

Homemade Lemon Curd or Lime Curd by yours truly

Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes+ more there. I have a board just for School Lunches & Snack ideastoo. Come follow along.

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100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (15)

Antioxidant Blueberry Orange Smoothie

Disclosure: Ireceived a Rover Lunchbox from Planetbox to use and review, all opinions are my own.

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas | Recipes to Nourish (2024)

FAQs

What are some nourishing school lunch ideas? ›

Wholegrain bread or wrap (whole meal, rye, soy and linseed or multigrain are the best options) – add a spread or filling of your choice. Wholemeal pasta – create a cold pasta salad with chopped vegetables + ham, chicken or tuna. Brown rice – create a cold rice salad with chopped vegetables + ham, chicken or tuna.

What to put in a healthy lunchbox? ›

Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats. Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice). Limit refined grains (like white rice and white bread).

What is the healthiest thing to eat for lunch? ›

Healthy People Usually Eat These 7 Things for Lunch
  1. Avocado and egg sandwich. ...
  2. Summer rolls with peanut sauce. ...
  3. Quinoa pear salad with spinach, cranberries and pecans. ...
  4. Protein Salad. ...
  5. Loaded Vegetable Sandwich. ...
  6. Lentil vegetable soup. ...
  7. Chicken burrito bowl with rice and beans.
Aug 30, 2023

How do you make a lunchbox sustainable? ›

Ditch the single-use plastic.

You don't even have to spend loads of cash on a fancy new container set, simply reuse empty pasta sauce jars, yogurt containers, or mason jars to store your lunch snacks. For cutlery, simply bringing some from home or designating a special set just for school can help reduce plastic waste!

What are 7 healthy lunches? ›

The 10 Best Healthy Lunch Foods to Eat
  • Canned Tuna. "Seafood is packed with protein, helping you feel full and satisfied. ...
  • Mini Sweet Peppers. ...
  • Farro. ...
  • Veggie Burgers. ...
  • Ricotta Cheese. ...
  • Black Beans. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Hummus.
Aug 9, 2022

What is a healthy packed lunch for school? ›

Make sure your packed lunch contains:
  • 1) A portion of bread (or similar), rice, potatoes or pasta.
  • 2) Plenty of fruit and vegetables.
  • 3) A portion of dairy or a calcium rich alternative.
  • 4) Some protein in the form of beans, pulses, fish, egg, meat.
  • 5) A healthy drink.

What can I put in my lunch box instead of a sandwich? ›

Swap them out for one of these savoury lunch box ideas – not only are they super filling, but they're delicious, too.
  • 1Pie maker zucchini and haloumi fritters. ...
  • 2Easy tuna bento balls. ...
  • 3Healthy zucchini, pumpkin and feta slice. ...
  • 4Pie maker mini fetta, pea and mint frittatas. ...
  • 5Mini carbonara quiches.

What are the 5 food groups for children? ›

Healthy eating in childhood reduces your child's chance of developing health problems as they get older. A healthy, balanced diet includes foods from all 5 food groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. Foods high in sugar, saturated fat and salt aren't necessary for a healthy diet and should be limited.

What is the unhealthiest lunch? ›

Worst Restaurant Meals
  • Ham and Cheese Omelet. 1/15. The Count: Approximately 512 calories, 37 grams of fat, 1,277 milligrams of sodium. ...
  • Chicken and Waffles. 2/15. ...
  • Bacon Double Cheeseburger. 3/15. ...
  • Baby Back Ribs (Full Rack) 4/15. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo. 5/15. ...
  • Pepperoni Stromboli. 6/15. ...
  • General Tso's Chicken. 7/15. ...
  • Beef Chimichangas. 8/15.
Mar 16, 2024

How to make a waste free lunch? ›

Avoid single-use items like disposable plastic or paper bags. Personalize, monogram, or label your reusable lunch container and items so they do not get lost. Pack reusable utensils. Avoid disposable plastic forks, spoons, and knives.

How do you make a waste free lunch box? ›

A waste free lunch box is one that only contains packaging that can be composted or recycled, and nothing that goes into garbage bins and landfill. That means no plastic, no foil, no zip-lock bags and no packaged foods.

How do you pack a zero waste lunch? ›

To pack a waste-free lunch, you must include reusable food and beverage containers, durable flatware and cloth napkins and stow it all in a reusable lunch box like PackIt's freezable lunch bag.

What is the best school lunch to eat? ›

  1. Lemon-Roasted Potatoes, Chicken and Spinach with Tzatziki. Time Commitment: 35 minutes. ...
  2. Meal-Prep Mayo-Less Potato Salad. Time Commitment: 40 minutes. ...
  3. Slow Cooker Meal-Prep Burrito Bowls. ...
  4. Peanut Butter and Banana Roll-up Snack Box. ...
  5. Chickpea Salad Bento Box. ...
  6. Pita Pizza Lunchables. ...
  7. Turkey Spinach Pinwheels. ...
  8. Mini Spaghetti Pies.
Apr 19, 2024

What are 3 healthy lunch foods? ›

Lunch
  • Italian pasta salad. Pasta salad can be a balanced, nutritious meal. ...
  • Slow cooker lentil soup. “Dump and go” slow cooker meals are an easy option for lunches. ...
  • Peanut butter and banana roll-ups. ...
  • Sweet potato black bean meal prep bowls. ...
  • Healthy tuna salad with cranberries. ...
  • Veggie quesadillas.
Jan 6, 2021

What is good protein for school lunch? ›

7 Protein-Packed School Lunch Ideas
  • Greek yogurt. I'm sure you have heard of Greek yogurt by now due to its incredible growth in popularity during the past few years. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Nitrate-free deli sandwich meats. ...
  • Simply Snackin. ...
  • Low-fat cottage cheese. ...
  • Hard-boiled egg. ...
  • Low-fat organic milk.

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