How to Build Your Lunch Library: The Lunch Box Glow-Up Series

Mix, match, and plan with ease--no more last-minute lunch panic packing!

Let’s face it—coming up with fresh, balanced lunch ideas every single day can feel like a full-time job.

That’s where a Lunch Library comes in. Think of it as your personal cheat sheet: a go-to list of your family’s favorite proteins, fruits, veggies, grains, and snacks that makes lunch planning easier, faster, and way less stressful.

Instead of reinventing the wheel each week, you’ll have a ready-made menu of mix-and-match options to build nutritious, kid-approved meals in minutes. It’s also a great tool for involving your kids in the process; let them help fill in their favorites, try new foods, and choose their own combinations. Create a lunch library with me to help pack a fun bento-box style lunch box, and spend less time stressing over lunch and more time enjoying it!

Protein Ideas:

Hard-boiled eggs

Deli turkey or chicken slices or roll-ups

Grilled chicken strips (premade and fresh)

Tuna or salmon salad

Shredded rotisserie chicken

Meatballs (beef, chicken, or turkey)

Cheese cubes or slices or Babybel cheese

Cottage cheese (low-fat)

Greek yogurt (plain or lightly sweetened)

String cheese or cheese sticks

Leftover lean meats (like roast beef, pork tenderloin, or baked chicken)

Egg muffins or mini frittatas

Plant-Based Options:

Hummus

Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew)

Sunflower seed butter/Sun Butter (allergy-free alternative)

Edamame (steamed and shelled)

Roasted chickpeas

Tofu cubes (plain or baked)

Beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas) in small containers or wraps

Convenient Packaged Options:

Shelf-stable tuna or salmon pouches

Protein snack packs (watch sodium/sugar)

Shelf-stable hummus or nut butter cups

Grains

Breads & Wraps:

Whole grain sandwich bread

Whole wheat pita pockets

Whole grain or spinach tortillas/wraps

Mini bagels or bagel thins

English muffins

Flatbreads or naan

Rice cakes (plain or lightly flavored)

Pasta & Grains:

Whole wheat pasta (plain or with sauce)

Brown rice

Quinoa (great in salads or bowls)

Couscous

Farro

Orzo pasta (fun size for kids)

Rice or quinoa salad

Crackers & Snacks:

Whole grain crackers

Mini whole wheat waffles or pancakes (can be used as “bread”)

Pretzel thins or whole grain pretzels

Popcorn (lightly salted)

Granola (low sugar)

Oat bars

Homemade energy bites

Whole grain muffins (savory or sweet)

Banana bread or zucchini bread (made with whole grains and low sugar)

Fruits

Fresh Fruits:

Apple slices (use lemon juice or cinnamon to prevent browning, or purchase them in pre-sliced packs)

Grapes

Banana (whole or sliced with nut butter)

Blueberries

Strawberries (whole or sliced)

Raspberries

Blackberries

Mandarin oranges

Clementine segments

Kiwi (peeled and sliced or halved with a spoon)

Melon chunks (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)

Pineapple chunks

Mango slices

Pear slices

Cherries (pitted)

Pomegranate seeds

Dried & Freeze-Dried Fruits (Shelf-Stable):

Raisins

Dried cranberries (look for low sugar)

Dried apricots

Banana chips

Freeze-dried fruits: strawberries, apples, or mango

Fruit leather (100% fruit, no added sugar)

Packaged Options (Convenient):

Applesauce pouches or cups (unsweetened)

Fruit cups packed in 100% juice

Fruit & veggie blend pouches

Vegetables

Raw Veggies (Crunchy & Dip-Friendly):

Baby carrots or carrot sticks

Cucumber slices or spears

Bell pepper strips (red, yellow, orange for sweetness)

Snack-size bell peppers

Cherry or grape tomatoes

Sugar snap peas

Celery sticks (great with nut or seed butter)

Jicama sticks (mild and crunchy)

Cooked Veggies (Mild & Prepped Ahead):

Steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets

Roasted sweet potato cubes or rounds

Corn kernels or corn on the cob coins

Green beans (lightly steamed or roasted)

Roasted carrots

Baked veggie “fries” (carrot, zucchini, or sweet potato)

Mini veggie muffins

Dippable Pairings: Pair raw veggies with:

Hummus

Lite Ranch dip or Greek yogurt dip

Guacamole

Nut or seed butter (for celery or carrots)