Meat Free Kid Lunches
Its Kiddie Lunch Box… Bento Style!
Since M started going to preschool a couple times a week, I needed to think of a better lunch box for her. I was sending her to school with multiple ziploc bags. It was very unorganized and wasteful. After doing a little research, I decided to buy her a bento box from Laptop Lunches. Its fun, its cute, its insulated, its BPA-free, and most important, its visually appealing when she sits down to eat. Well, as visually appealing as you can get for a 16 month old.
Here’s a pic of the outside. I’m sure you’re lovin’ that hazelnut coffeemate in background 
The inside…
On the menu for Miss M was a Soynut butter & Jam Sandwich on a potato roll (M’s school is nut-free), Cinnamon Apples, Leftover mixed veggies, two whole wheat Fig Newman’s, and string cheese.
So far I’ve been very happy with M’s bento box! Hopefully she likes it too 
Meat-Free Kid Lunch Ideas…
Last week I was talking to a friend of mine and she was telling me her son goes to a preschool that’s meat-free and she’s running out of lunch ideas. After brainstorming and doing a little research, I came up with these ideas.
Sandwiches: Any of the below can be used inside whole wheat bread, bagels, english muffins, whole wheat tortillas, wraps, or flat bread.
- Cream Cheese & Smashed Avocado
- Cream Cheese & Jam (I like Crofter’s Super Fruit spread)
- Cheddar Cheese & Apple or Pear Slices
- Brie & Pumpkin or Apple Butter
- Peanut Butter or Almond Butter & Honey Sandwich
- Soynut Butter & Jam Sandwich (if your child’s school is nut-free)
- Grilled Cheese
- Quesadilla with Cheese & Low-fat Refried Beans
- Peanut Butter & Banana
- Soynut Butter & Banana
- Cottage Cheese & Pumpkin or Apple Butter with flat bread on the side
Meat Substitutes: Can be added inside a sandwich or on the side with whole grain crackers.
- Nut Butters
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Cheese (Low-fat)
- Refried Beans
- Edamame (shelled)
- Yogurt (low-fat)
- Tuna Salad
- Egg Salad
- Tofu Dogs
- Cottage Cheese (low-fat)
- Hummus
- Beans (garbanzo, kidney, black beans)
Meal Tip: Whenever I’m cooking dinner, I’m always thinking about M’s lunch. Whether she’s at school, or at home. I always think of food she may eat, plan it into our meal, and cook extra so I have it on hand to include in her lunch the next day.
Do you have any ideas for meat free kid lunches? I know my friend will greatly appreciate it
Have a great day!!
i’ve never heard of meat-free schools! love the bento, much more fun than my boring tupperwear:-)
That’s such a cute lunch box. I know it’s for your 16-month-old daughter, but I kinda want one.
I want that lunch box so bad. It is adorable!
What a fun lunch box. And I love all the kid meal ideas. They are great ones.
I never knew schools could be “meat-free” or “nut-free” though!
That lunch box is too cute! Mini corn dog muffins of course (with tofu dogs and/or cheese) and pasta salads are great too!
A little too early for M’s age, but homemade soup is always great. So many meat-free varieties!
Those lunches sound delish! Who says they have to be kids’ lunches. I’d eat one of those.
Such a great list! I would add lentil/black bean burger patties. I often make these up weekly and do a dozen at a time. My 15 month old loves them with ketchup on top!
love it! i really wnt to start using a bento box system for lunch… so much healthier.
hey, i’d eat meatless if that’s what i was packing too
yum!
Love the Bento lunch bag. YOu are good mom for thinking about your daughter and her meals…
I have a Q for you… why meat free?
Hi Gelareh! My friends son’s preschool is meat-free so I thought I’d help her out and come up with some meal ideas
I give my daughter meat all the time
Thanks Estela! And his school is meat-free because it is a Jewish preschool, which means they are kosher. These are great suggestions! I know the little man will be delighted to have something other than cubed cheese and raisins for his lunch tomorrow!
Great ideas! Love the lunchbox too! I am going to pack these for me:)
Ava loves tofu. Just seasoned and baked or grilled and cut into sticks or “fries.”
Question for you, do you give M lowfat cheese? I always buy a separate cottage cheese for Ava because I wasn’t sure if they could have lowfat dairy under the age of 2. It would be great if we could all eat the same one.
I’m a big fan of marinated chickpeas with grated cheese in a wrap. An excellent meat free option!
Meat-free school? I’ve never heard of such a thing! I think you covered all the bases, these are great ideas! I’ve made “apple pie a la mode” wraps with the kids at camp and they were a big hit – whole grain tortilla, cream cheese, apple slices, cinnamon and brown sugar – all microwaved together. (But could serve cold for lunch)
Well, I’m not a kid but I could go for that Bento Box meal. It looks great and I love all your meatless suggestions.
um….will you pack my lunch?
I was raised veg and I remeber having things like pita sammies (pita, avo, tomato, hummus), or pb&j on pita’s. Also pita pizzas, clearly we loved pitas.
I am very impressed with what your preschoolers are eating! I can remember back as far as first grade being the weird kid with pita’s and blue corn chips, now I am so grateful for those days!
I think I might need a couple of those bento boxes!
I love those lunch boxes…so practical!