Your kids are going to love these High Protein Lunchbox Ideas! Sometimes I get in the sandwich rut during busy weeks. Maybe you do, too? It happens! However, this year, I have been more proactive about including lots of protein in lunches for my kids and I’m sharing my ideas with you!
My Favorite High Protein Lunchbox Ideas
Tuna salad is a great option to include in your child’s lunchbox. Depending on your recipe, it packs about 13 grams of protein per 3 oz. I recently found these amazing Off the Eaten Path Chickpea Veggie Crisps that you see in the photo! They’re made with chickpeas, green peas, black beans, and purple sweet potatoes. You can not taste any of those things in the crisps, surprisingly enough! My kids love them and think they taste even better than tortilla chips! AND they have 4 grams of protein per serving, so they’re a perfect option for scooping up tuna, chicken, egg salad or any of your favorite scoopable high protein lunchbox ideas!
Greek yogurt and granola is another great high protein lunchbox idea for kids! One day, I looked at literally every yogurt label and the Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt has the least amount of sugar but still has a great taste and high protein content! For example, the vanilla flavor has 15 grams of protein and 0 grams of added sugar with only 5 grams of natural sugars! However, it’s still sweet enough that my kids like it! Granola can have 8-15 grams of protein depending on your brand, so it’s another great high-protein option!
Cheese tortellini with parmesan is another one of my favorite high protein lunchbox ideas. You could send marinara for kids to dip it in or mix it all together, depending on what your child prefers. The Barilla Three Cheese Tortellini that my kids like has 8 grams of protein per serving!
Another high protein lunchbox idea for kids is celery and hummus. Chickpeas also have protein and are known as a complete source of protein, since they have all nine essential amino acids! We like dipping celery in hummus, but you could also dip cucumber slices, carrot sticks, broccoli, or cherry tomatoes!
Apples dipped in almond butter is another great high protein option for lunchboxes. Depending on the brand of almond butter you buy (or if you make it at home), there are about 7 grams of protein per serving. We like dipping celery in almond butter, too!
Instead of a ham and cheese sandwich, why not give your kids cubes of cooked ham and cheese? This mozzarella cheese has 7 grams of protein per serving and the ham has 9 grams per serving!
More High Protein Lunchbox Ideas for Kids
Most people know that hard-boiled eggs are a good source of protein, but did you know that sunflower seeds and edamame are, as well? Either of these three options are perfect sides to include in your child’s lunchbox!
How can I add protein to school lunches for kids?
Even if your child gets a tray at school instead of a sack lunch from home, they still could bring a protein shake to drink or one of these options I have listed above! That way, they can switch out the protein-filled side from home with perhaps an unhealthier option from school.
What High Protein Lunchbox Ideas for Kids have the MOST protein?
Some food options with the highest amount of protein are chicken, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, eggs, and parmesan cheese. (That’s why I like sneaking parmesan into recipes for my kids when I can!)
More Lunchbox Ideas for Kids
- 80 Lunch Ideas for Kids to Mix and Match – Free Printable Included!
- 90 Back to School Lunchbox Ideas for Kids