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These easy, healthy adult lunchable ideas are the perfect solution to really simple healthy eating. As a dietitian, it’s so important to me that nutritious eating isn’t complicated, and these lunchable ideas are my favorite way to squeeze in a balanced lunch!
Let’s dive in with how to make your portable, kid-inspired lunch that you’ll look forward to eating.
How To Make An Adult Lunchable
The best adult Lunchable has the right balance of flavor and nutrition packed in the perfect container to keep everything fresh. You can combine whichever ingredients you like, but the idea is to build a balanced meal filled with a protein source, fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and fiber-filled carbs. And don’t forget something fun!
My Adult Lunchable Formula:
- Protein: Sliced meat, hard boiled eggs, cheese cubes, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, tuna salad, chicken salad, hummus, edamame.
- Fiber rich carbs: Whole grain crackers, seed crackers, Triscuits, whole wheat pita bread, sweet potatoes, whole grain pretzels, whole grain pasta, legume pasta, roasted chickpeas, popcorn.
- Fruits and veggies: Sliced cucumbers or peppers, sugar snack peas, celery sticks, broccoli or cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, apple slices, grapes, berries, clementine segments.
- Fats: Nuts, nut butter, olives, guacamole or sliced avocado, olive oil based salad dressing, pesto.
- Fun: Mini peanut butter cups, dark chocolate squares, chocolate covered almonds or pretzels, pickles or pickled veggies, trail mix, or a small cookie or two.
Adult Lunchables also tend to be more satisfying when you have a nice combo of contrasting textures and a balance of salty and sweet. For instance, in our first example, we have salty turkey balanced with sweet grapes; crunchy crackers combined with soft cheese.
Ready for some dietitian-approved adult lunchable ideas?
10+ Adult Lunchable Ideas
In this round-up, I’ll share my top 10 ways to make an adult Lunchable that is delicious AND satisfying using simple ingredients. Use these easy meals as a packable lunch, a hearty snack…or even breakfast or dinner!
1. Turkey or Ham & Cheese Lunchable
- Turkey or ham slices
- Cheddar cheese
- Whole grain crackers
- Grapes or berries
- Cucumber slices
- Mini PB cup or chocolate square
2. Chicken Salad Lunchable
- Chicken salad
- Whole grain crackers
- Celery sticks or sliced peppers
- Apple slices
- Peanut butter
3. Starbucks-Inspired Protein Box
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Grapes
- Apple slices
- Cheddar cheese (cubes or slices)
- Whole grain crackers
4. Veggies & Dip Protein Box
- High Protein Ranch Dip
- Whole grain crackers
- Carrot sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Bell pepper strips
- Chocolate covered almonds
5. DIY Pizza Lunchable
- For the pizza:
- Mini naan breads
- Pizza sauce (or use my Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce!)
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded or sliced both work!)
- Turkey pepperoni slices
- Sliced bell peppers
- Berries or grapes
7. Hummus Lunch Box
- Hummus (store-bought or my High Protein Hummus)
- Whole wheat pita bread, mini naan or pita chips
- Broccoli florets, sliced carrots, bell pepper strips
- Cheese stick or babybel
- Nuts
4. Deconstructed Cobb Salad Lunchable
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, carrot sticks
- Cubed chicken
- High protein ranch dressing for dipping
- Cubed cheese
- Whole grain crackers or tortilla chips
8. Vegan Lunchable
- High Protein Bean Salad (omit the feta)
- Hummus
- Tortilla chips for dipping
- Berries
9. Greek yogurt parfait box
- Greek yogurt
- Granola (my favorite Vanilla Nut Granola)
- Berries
- Nut butter
10. Lunch charcuterie box
- Assorted deli meats like pepper turkey, ham and salami
- Cheese slices or cubes (choose your faves)
- Jam (or make my Raspberry Chia Jam)
- Seedy crackers or whole grain pretzels
- Olives
- Nuts
- Grapes
11. Antipasto Lunchable
- Mozzarella balls or cheese cubes
- Sliced pepperoni or salami
- Marinated artichokes or roasted red peppers
- Crackers, crostini or small slices of focaccia
- Fresh fruit like grapes or strawberries
12. Cottage Cheese Protein Box
- Cottage cheese
- Everything bagel seasoning (for the cottage cheese)
- Cucumber slices and bell pepper strips for dipping
- Whole grain crackers or pretzels
- Strawberries or sliced apples
Favorite Adult Lunchable Containers
There are a lot of options to choose from, but here are the ones I like and use the best!
- 3-Compartment Containers (glass containers)
- 2-Compartment Containers (Rubbermaid Brilliance)
Enjoy your lunch!
If you need to shake up your boring old lunch routine, or just want to try a new recipe, Adult Lunchables are the way to go. There are SO many combinations to choose from and remember, the recipes above are really just a guideline. If you don’t like this or that, you can always substitute ingredients to make a balanced meal you actually enjoy.
If you loved any of these homemade lunchable ideas be sure to share them with a friend!
And be sure to browse all of my Quick and Easy Recipes here!
Adult Lunchables
Ingredients
- 3-4 oz deli meat, ham or turkey works best
- 1 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or sliced
- 1 serving whole grain crackers, I like whole wheat crackers or Triscuit Thins
- 1 cup cucumbers or bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup grapes or berries
Instructions
- Slice your deli meat into cracker-sized pieces or roll-up.
- Arrange your meat and cheese in one compartment of a partitioned container.
- Arrange your crackers in a separate compartment (or put in a plastic bag to separate and keep from being soggy).
- Arrange your fruits and veggies in another compartment.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
ThAnk you