When we first started this vegan life, my kids would throw most of their lunch in the trash. They would complain that it didn't look like everyone else's lunch and how they just wanted "regular" food.
The key to simple and delicious vegan lunches your kids will actually eat? Make it as familiar as possible. This is a lifestyle of abundance; not sacrifice. :-)
I came up with a simple lunchbox formula a few months ago to help you not overthink your kids' lunches.
Main Entree + fruit/vegetable + fruit/junk food + drink = Vegan school lunch
Read more about this and get more lunchbox suggestions on that blog post
In this video, I put together 3 easy vegan lunches that you help you get started....
Lunch #1
Peanut butter & jelly sandwich, plain Lay's potato chips (yup, these are vegan) and strawberries
Vegan options for breads (This is just a short list-many more options are out there):
Cobblestone Mill Hoagie Rolls, Kaiser Rolls, Onion Rolls, Whole Wheat Bread
Dutch Country Soft Potato Bread & Whole Wheat
Arnold’s Potato Sandwich Rolls & Sesame Sandwich Rolls
Ezekiel 4:9 line of breads
Vermont Bread Company: Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread, Old Style Rye Bread, Organic Multigrain Bread, Organic Spelt Bread, Organic Soft Wheat Bread, Organic Soft White Bread, Organic Soft Multigrain Bread
Lunch #2
Vegan chicken pita pocket, orange slices & plain pretzels
Make sure you check the ingredients to ensure that there is no eggs/dairy in the pita bread you purchase. You can also make your own using this recipe
Vegan chicken brands (or you can just replace this item with black beans):
Vegan Chicken Pita Pocket
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of oil (to saute)
- 1 medium bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- 9 oz vegan chicken (Beyond Meat & Gardein are options) or black beans
- 1 cup lettuce of your choice
- Fresh cilantro, to garnish
- 8-10 pita pockets
Instructions
In a large pan, saute the red bell pepper and onion on medium heat for about 6 minutes. Mix in the cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
Add in the corn and vegan chicken (or black beans) and continue cooking for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Put a few pieces of lettuce at the bottom of each pita pocket and spoon about 2 tablespoons of vegan chicken mixture into each pocket.
Garnish with cilantro and enjoy
Lunch #3
Pasta salad, hummus & carrot sticks, grapes and Oreo cookies (yup, the regular & golden Oreos are vegan
Here's the pasta salad recipe
You can buy pre-packed hummus or make your own using this recipe
Enjoy!
