School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters

Need new school lunch ideas for picky eaters? Look no further! These kid-approved school lunches will make even the pickiest eater happy!

So you have a picky eater. Yeah, me too. Which can make packing school lunches a bit difficult. I have to have a list of school lunch ideas for picky eaters on hand when packing lunches!

My picky eater? He won’t eat sandwiches, doesn’t like lunch meat, turns his nose up to peanut butter and jelly, and pretty much vetoes any quick and easy lunch ideas I come up with. What he does like are hot meals and leftovers. I don’t even understand it!

I have been trying to come up with some new school lunch ideas for my picky eater all summer long. I compiled this list for easy reference and we will be trying them throughout the school year.

Before we get to the list, let’s make sure we have the right school lunch supplies. Here are some things that I have found useful in the past.

School Lunch Supplies

Thermos

If you are going to be packing a hot lunch, you need a thermos to keep it warm. While you are heating up lunch, fill the thermos with hot water to warm up the insides. When the food is warm, dump the water, wipe out, and fill with lunch!

Metal Sandwich Container

This metal sandwich container works just like the thermos. I use this for lunches like leftovers or warm sandwiches. It makes it easier to eat at lunchtime. You can also use this for non-hot items like salad or sandwiches to keep them cool.

Reusable Forks & Spoons

I would never send my metal forks and spoons to school because they would never make it back home! Instead, I bought some reusable plastic forks and spoons to keep in their lunch boxes. If they get thrown away, it’s no biggie! They are pretty inexpensive and last a while.

Tips for Packing Lunches for Picky Eaters

Here are some tips and ideas for parents who are struggling to come up with school lunch ideas for their picky eaters:

Get your picky eater involved in the meal planning process.

One of the best ways to get a picky eater excited about their school lunch is to involve them in the planning process. Let your child choose what they want to eat for lunch and encourage them to try new foods. You can even make a game out of it by having your child choose a different colored fruit or vegetable for each day of the week.

Think outside the sandwich.

Sandwiches can get boring after a while, especially for picky eaters who may only want to eat the same thing every day. Try mixing it up by making pinwheels, wraps, salads, or even bento boxes. Bento boxes are a great option because they allow you to include a variety of different foods in one meal.

Make healthy snacks a part of the meal.

Organic Carrots and Ranch dip on a table

Picky eaters often prefer snacks over meals, so try incorporating healthy snacks into their school lunch. You can include things like apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with granola, or hummus with carrot sticks. These snacks not only provide important nutrients but also help to make the meal more interesting.

Focus on presentation.

For picky eaters, presentation can be just as important as taste. Try cutting fruits and vegetables into fun shapes or using cookie cutters to make sandwiches more exciting. You can also use colorful containers or lunch boxes to make the meal more visually appealing.

Don’t be afraid to repeat.

While variety is important, don’t be afraid to repeat meals that your picky eater enjoys. This can help to establish a sense of routine and familiarity, which can make mealtime less stressful for both you and your child.