Healthy alternatives
The recipes on our lunchbox ideas page provides lots of easy and tasty options for you to try in your child’s lunchbox. However not all the recipes shared may not be to your taste or liking. Your child may also have particular dietary needs.
Our healthy alternatives gives a range of options you can swap in your lunchbox or lunchtimes at home.
Additional ingredient ideas
- Ham or vegetarian alternative
- Tinned salmon or tuna
- Cooked chicken
- Tofu
- Cheese (grated or chunks)
- Bacon
- Chickpeas
- Sausage
- Boiled egg
- Mixed beans
Fruit ideas
- Melon
- Strawberries
- Raisins
- Kiwi
- Raspberries
- Sultanas
- Nectarine
- Grapes
- Dried apricots
Sauces and flavours
- Cream cheese
- Caesar dressings
- Olive oil
- Salad cream
- Balsamic vinegar
- Lemon juice and olive oil
- Mayonnaise
- Plain yoghurt
- French dressing
- Pesto
Vegetable Ideas
| Courgette | Beetroot | Onion | Sweet potato |
| Aubergine | Carrot | Celery | Butternut squash |
| Sweetcorn | Pepper | Green beans | Broccoli |
| Tomatoes | Lettuce | Olives | Sun-dried tomatoes |
| Cucumber | Spinach leaves | Peas |
Vegan alternatives
- Tofu instead of eggs
- Lentils and beans instead of meat
- Quorn or vegetable protein substitutes instead of meat
- Houmous instead of mayonnaise
Gluton-free Swaps
- Potatoes
- Bread made with gluten-free flour
- Rice cakes
- Flat breads made with chickpea flour or maize flour
- Gluten- free tortilla wraps
- Rice or quinoa
- Rice noodles
- Gluten-free pasta
Dairy-free Swaps
- Instead of cow's milk, try oat milk or soya milk.
- Instead of dairy cheese you could use a dairy-free cheese substitute or try using avocado.
- Another idea is adding nutritional yeast to dishes like pasta. This will give a cheesy flavour but is dairy-free.
- Instead of butter you could use a dairy-free spread.
- Instead of a cheese or yoghurt dip, try buying or making houmous.