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Lifestyle

5 Balanced School Lunch Ideas for Toddlers

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice; see our full disclaimer for more information. Be mindful of food size and texture and be sure to cut into age-appropriate pieces to minimize choking risk as needed. Only feed your child when they are seated and supervised.

 

Lunchtime with a toddler can feel like a battle as you’re contending with high energy, big feelings, and a kiddo who is likely to be very ready for a nap (whether they’d like to admit it or not). Figuring out a balanced lunch to feed your toddler in the middle of all of this can seem daunting. Have no fear—we’re here to help. P.S. We highly recommend prepping the night before if you can! 

Feeding your toddler a well-balanced lunch is easy if you just remember three categories of nutrients. “Do your best to offer all three macronutrients at lunch time,” recommends Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, LD. These include: 1) carbohydrates (e.g., bread, rice noodle, starchy veggies like potatoes, or fruit), 2) protein (e.g., meats, tofu, egg, dairy, beans), and 3) fats (e.g., nut butter, avocado, oil, dairy, or  nuts/seeds). Chances are, your little one likes at least one food from each of those categories!

To get you started—and hopefully spark some ideas of your own—Barnes has provided 5 easy, balanced lunch ideas for toddlers:

1. Turkey Meatballs, Sweet Potato Cubes, and a Smart Blend 

bento box-style lunchbox for a toddler, filled with turkey meatballs, sweet potato cubes, and a Once Upon a Farm Smart Blend pouch
Cook some homemade or store-bought frozen mini turkey meatballs. Peel, chop, and roast some sweet potato cubes in olive oil. Serve alongside a Once Upon a Farm Pear-y Blueberry & Spinach Smart Blend (or another flavor your child prefers).

2. Sunflower Butter Toast Strips, Hummus, Cucumber, and a Smart Wheel 

bento box-style lunchbox for a toddler, filled with sunflower butter toast, hummus, cucumber pieces, and a Once Upon a Farm Smart Wheel bar
Spread a thin layer of sunflower seed butter on whole wheat bread and slice into strips. Scoop some plain hummus into a container, to be paired with cucumber sliced into sticks or bite-sized shapes if you’re feeling creative. Throw in a Once Upon a Farm Rasp-Berry Beet & Kale Smart Wheel for a no-added-sugar treat.‡ 

3. Pasta w/Peas + Mozzarella, Sliced Grapes, and a Belly Blend

bento box-style lunchbox for a toddler, filled with pasta salad, sliced grapes, and a Once Upon a Farm Belly Blend pouch
Mix cooked mini pasta shells with olive oil, peas, and diced mozzarella. Slice some grapes in half. Add a Once Upon a Farm Red Berries, Cherries & Sweet Potato Belly Blend for some extra nutrition.

4. Sliced Hard Boiled Eggs, Pineapple, Cheese Cubes, and a Tractor Wheel 

bento box-style lunchbox for a toddler, filled with pineapple chunks, cheese cubes, hard-boiled eggs, and a Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheel bar
Slice up a hard-boiled egg or two. Serve alongside some pineapple chunks, cheese cubes, and a Once Upon a Farm Apple, Sweet Potato & Spinach Tractor Wheel soft-baked bar.

5. Shredded Chicken, Sliced Carrots, Crackers, and a Yogurt Pouch

bento box-style lunchbox for a toddler, filled with shredded chicken, roasted carrots, crackers, and a Once Upon a Farm yogurt pouch
Shred some rotisserie chicken (or roast and shred some chicken at home) for an easy protein source. Roast some sliced carrots with olive oil—or steam them and drizzle with olive oil after cooking. Pair with whole grain crackers and a Once Upon a Farm Mixed Berry Coconut Milk Yogurt Alternative pouch or a handful of Mixed Berry Coconut Melts.

“For this age range”, Barnes shares, “fats are of particular importance because they are still in a critical phase of central nervous system development. Fats, and particularly Omega-3s, help support this development.” Basically, don’t feel like you need to limit fats for your toddler!

Related Reading: The Importance of Dietary Fats for Kids

Barnes also suggests including fiber. “Fiber has a ton of functional benefits in the body such as regulating bowel movements, promoting gut health, and giving kids that feeling of fullness and satisfaction.” Fiber can come from many sources, including fruits and vegetables, legumes, or whole grain products.

Whether you recreate these meals exactly, customize them to fit your family preferences, or just remember the main nutrients your toddler needs and do your own thing—you’ve got this! 

   

‡Not a low-calorie food.