Do you need ideas on what to pack your teenager for lunch that they will actually eat? Here are 9 school lunch ideas for teens.
Does your teenager eat everything in the cupboards and fridge when they’re at home but don’t touch their school lunch? As a teenagers body continues to grow and change, they need good food and enough of it to meet their nutritional needs and stay energised. A lot of teenagers play sports and are active in and out of school, so it is essential their bodies and mind are well taken care of as eating the right foods boost endurance and stamina.
One of the main reasons teens don’t eat at school is because they are distracted. Distracted with their friends, because of sports training or due to lunchtime school activities. If they are hungry and find the food in their lunchbox unappealing, they just won’t eat.
I have made a list of teen school lunch box ideas they won’t be able to pass up!
Add a smoothie to breakfast
If you find that your kids don’t eat during the school day, make them a smoothie as a healthy addition to breakfast. You can add a safe protein or green powder to smoothie to make sure they get nutrients to last them until they get home. Here is my kid friendly green smoothie as a starting off point if your teen isn’t used to them. You can add other things such as nut butters or berries – anything you think your teen will enjoy and create something they can have on a regular basis. If they are running late to school you can pour the smoothie into a smoothie tumbler so they can drink it on the way to school.
Leftover homemade pizza
Which teen doesn’t love pizza? Make extra homemade pizza and your teen can take a couple of pieces to school. There are so many different homemade pizza topping ideas – your teen is sure to request more for school lunches!
If you want to make your own pizza base, here is a quick and easy 2 ingredient pizza base recipe that’s perfect for family pizza nights or freezer-friendly school lunchbox snacks.
Sushi
Pop a couple of sushi rolls in the lunch box. Sushi is a substantial lunch and you can make it with as many different fillings as your like, e.g. salmon and avocado, crumbed chicken and salad, tuna and cucumber, pulled pork and coleslaw – the list is endless! Sushi is a fantastic way to get carbs, protein and healthy fats such as avocado, and by making it yourself you know exactly what is going into your little ones’ lunchbox.
- Cook the rice following sushi rice packet directions, can be found in the rice aisle at the supermarket.
- Lay down nori roll (shiny side down) over sushi making tool.
- Add rice (best to have damp fingers).
- Spread a squirt of mayo.
- and fill – my kids favourite filling is sliced chicken shnitzel and avocado, you can add lettuce, cucumber, carrot, mustard, salmon.
- Roll using sushi making tool and slice to place in lunchbox.
CHEESE AND BACON MINI QUICHES
Everybody loves these Cheese and Bacon Mini Quiches! They are perfect to make for lunch boxes. They are really easy to make and fuss free – your teen can help you make a big batch!
Chorizo Pasta
This chorizo pasta is a quick and easy one pan dish will be a hit with the teens! Add some vegetables to up the nutrition level. Another great recipe my teens love and always take to school the next day is the cheeseburger pasta bake.
There are so many different pasta recipes and are so delicious! Get all my pasta recipes here.
Cheese and bacon air fryer scones
These soft and fluffy cheese and bacon air fryer scones will go down a treat with your teen!
If you need more ideas for healthy lunches made in the air fryer, check out these easy and delicious air fryer ideas.
Chicken Ranch Wraps
These delicious Chicken Ranch Wraps are a super quick and easy dinner and are perfect lunch box filler for your teen! Leftovers have never tasted so good!
Here are some more wrap ideas your teen will love.
Roast Vegetables
My kids love seasoned roast vegetables, so every now and then on Sunday night roast night, I’ll make up two extra trays worth of roast veges so the kids can have them for school the next day.
Here are some roast vegetable ideas your teens will enjoy – you could add the leftover meat from the roast to boost the protein!
Teen lunchables
Lunchables are a great idea for teens who don’t like to eat a big meal on their break. Pop a few items from the list into the lunch box so your teen can eat pick at it and still be able to chat to their friends!
Here are some ideas on lunchables you can include into your teens lunch box.
- Pasta salad
- Mini pizza
- Hard boiled egg
- Crackers
- Piklets
- Muffins
- Mini quiches
- Cupcakes
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Dried Fruit
- Yougurt
- Museli bar
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Trail mix
- Baked chips
- Cheese slices
Here is some lunchbox inspiration to get you started for the year. If you are wanting to upgrade your teens bento lunch box or insulated lunch bag, you can buy all your lunch box essentials here.
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