Whether you are a stay-at-home/work-at-home parent or your child is old enough to be home alone in the summertime or he/she will be attending a day camp, stocking up on lunch items will now be a priority.  Lunch in my house tends to be quick, easy, and simple.  I try to have healthy options so that my children, who are beginning to try their hand at independently preparing their own lunch, will feel good about their choices.

• Cheese – Cheese comes in so many forms.  Try a variety of cheeses to make lunches easy, healthy, and delicious:  cheese on whole-wheat crackers, grilled cheese sandwich, cottage cheese and fruit, or
• Eggs – I often make hard-boiled eggs for a potato salad or tuna salad.  I always make more eggs than needed because they make such a good lunch.  Even my kids can bring eggs to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes.  Eggs are wholesome, inexpensive, and full of protein to get kids through the day.  We love to fry eggs in a little olive oil to put on sandwiches, too.  Try mini-quiches made in a muffin tin for portion control and ease.
• Bread – Whoever was the first person to think of taking a slice of bread, tortilla, pita, naan, or any other bread-type food and wrap it around otherwise messy food was a genius!  Bread turns anything into finger food.  Fill it with tuna, leftovers, scrambled eggs, salad, meat/cheese, anything (with the exception of soup – take my word for it).
• Salads – Salads can be made in batches and then eaten throughout week, making them a healthy and simple option for lunch.  There are many types of salads to choose from:  garden salads, pasta salads, potato salads, chicken/tuna salads, etc.  For more inspiration, check out this incredible selection of salads.
• Dips and Spreads – Salsa, guacamole, hummus, bean dip, yogurt, nut butters, and pesto all turn basic, boring albeit nutritious food into tasty and interesting food.  Use cut veggies, pita, fruit, and whole-grain crackers into fun food.

What are your favorites for a healthy lunch with children?