LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — With students heading back to school, parents are faced with packing easy, nutritious lunches that their children will actually eat. 

Norton Children’s nutrition specialist Michell Shaver shares five quick recipes and some clever lunchbox hacks. 

Kids who eat a lunch full of lean protein and complex carbs can avoid the afternoon slump, focus better, and feel full longer. But of course, the biggest challenge is packing a lunch that your child will eat.

Here are some ideas for a healthier, fun lunches that will provide your kiddo with the nutrients and energy to fuel their way through the school day. And the first way to make it more fun is to give it a fun name!

Poppin’ Pepperoni Pinwheels

  • 1 whole wheat wrap
  • 6 slices of turkey pepperoni
  • 2 cheese slices, cut into thirds
  • Grape Tomatoes
  • Strawberries
  • Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing OR Marinara Sauce for dipping

Pro tips:

  • Turkey pepperoni less fat, less calories, and higher in protein. Some also find turkey pepperoni less greasy to the touch, which is helpful with this recipe.
  • The greek yogurt base is going to have more protein, less fat and less calories, making it an easy swap for healthier choices. It’s also a bit thicker, so ideal for dipping!

Totally Tortellini 

Serve cold, or heat and put in a thermos

  • 1 cup of already cooked tortellini
  • 3 grape tomatoes, chopped
  • Shredded carrots or chopped spinach
  • Shredded Mozzarella
  • Marinara Sauce

Pro tips: 

  • Grape tomatoes have a thicker skin than a cherry tomatoes, and are a little meatier, less juicy, so they hold their shape a bit better. OR If tomatoes are a no go for your kids, try replacing with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or even spinach leaves that they could layer with their cheese and pepperoni!
  • Recommend cutting in half any tomatoes, grapes, etc. at least through elementary school. School lunch rooms are loud, busy spaces with just a few grown-ups standing by.

Super “Hero” Roll-Up

  • 1 whole wheat wrap
  • Deli Turkey
  • 1 tbs Hummus, to spread
  • 3-5 Spinach leaves
  • Shredded Carrot (inside, or sticks on the side)
  • Grapes

Pro tip: 

  • If you don’t think carrot or spinach would be a successful add-in, try a tortellini that has spinach or mushrooms cooked in.

Rainbow Rolls

  • 1 whole wheat wrap
  • 1 tbs Peanut butter, Nutella, or a favorite seed butter, to spread
  • A whole banana, cut length
  • ¾ tsp Honey mixed with ¼ cup of Water, to spread over the banana
  • Sliced Strawberries\Sliced long Kiwi
  • English Cucumber\Slices of Cucumber

Pro tip: 

  • Honey\Water is just making a simple syrup mixture to keep the banana from browning. Can also use lemon or lime juice. Using just a light brushing should be enough to keep your fruit from browning and will have little to no residual flavor.

Pancake Party

  • Left over protein pancakes (frozen)
  • 1 tbs of jam sandwiched w\cream cheese
  • Halved Hard Boiled egg, or chopped
  • Clementine, peeled
  • Sliced Red Peppers

Pro tip: 

  • High Protein pancakes leftover or store bought, frozen helps keep the cream cheese cool, but will be thawed and ready to eat by lunch
  • Make sure to place any wet or cold snacks separate from dry snacks to prevent sogginess.

More Back To School info: 

Kentuckiana’s back-to-school guide for 2025-26 school year

Local doctors prepare for surge in illnesses as kids head back to school 

JCPS bus finder to go live July 28 ahead of upcoming 2025-26 school year

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