Essential Supplies for a Healthy Back to School

Packing lunches can spark panic for some parents, especially when you’re dealing with the morning dash out the door! Ready to take the guesswork out of ensuring your little one is well-nourished throughout the day? A healthy meal is in the bag thanks to these must-have essentials and genius recipes.

Top Back-to-School Products to Pack Your Lunch

Think inside the lunchbox with these super clever, super cute meal-packing must-haves.

UKonserve Insulated Lunch Tote

This reusable, insulated tote keeps temperatures stable, features a pocket for utensils, and is machine washable.

UKonserve Divided Rectangular Container

With a movable or removable divider, this leak-resistant, non-toxic case keeps organized lunches in line.

(Re)Zip Reusable Sandwich Bags

Just one of these reusable bags replaces 300 disposable sandwich baggies, ensuring sandwiches (and the planet) are well-protected.

Thrive Market Insulated Water Bottle

Keep the kiddos hydrated throughout the day thanks to this 25oz double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel bottle that keeps cold drinks chilled or hot beverages warm.

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Healthy School Lunch Recipes

Easy school lunches never tasted so good thanks to these fresh and flavorful brown bag stars (find even more healthy recipes here and here).

Pad Thai Salad

Did you know you can make this Thai favorite at home (and even get a few more veggies in there)? Just top zucchini noodles (or “zoodles”) and fresh carrots with chopped chicken and a drizzle of sweet cashew dressing, made with cashew butter, coconut aminos, and raw honey.

Matcha Soba With Spicy Tofu Nuggets

This nutrient-packed bowl pairs creamy sweet matcha soba noodles with fiery tofu bites for a truly crave-worthy combo.

Veggie Tots

These finger-food dippers are loaded with good-for-you veggies like broccoli and cauliflower—perfect for your own little tots.

Paleo Chicken Nuggets

Yes, nuggets can be wholesome! This recipe uses coconut flour for a Paleo-friendly take on a crispy coating. (Find more Paleo snacks here.)

Tuna Hand Rolls

These hand rolls deserve a hand! Our make-your-own sushi recipe includes water-packed tuna, Paleo mayo, coconut aminos, and wasabi paste—all rolled up in nori sheets.

Chili-Lime Tuna Salad

Tuna salad gets a zesty slant with sweet mango, crisp jicama, creamy avocado, and tangy chili lime tuna.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

This bright and flavorful quinoa salad delivers a dose of healthy protein while cilantro, dried cranberries, almonds and zucchini create a feast for the eyes.

Tomato and Chickpea Soup

Believe it or not, you don’t need dairy for a rich and creamy tomato soup. This genius lunchtime recipe uses puréed chickpeas instead of heavy cream.

DIY Toddler Pancakes

Little eaters will flip for these veggie-packed cakes, made with potato and kale mash, milk, eggs, and coconut oil.

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Healthy Lunch Snacks

Keep bellies full and focus high with these healthy snacks for lunches.

Mavuno Harvest Organic Dried Papaya

No added sugar or preservatives here—this naturally sweet treat from Mavuno Harvest is also totally organic. The fruit is grown in rural Africa, and every bag purchased helps support local farmers.

Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Superfood Granola Bar, Chocolate Sea Salt

Crush hunger pangs and load up on superfoods with Purely Elizabeth’s bar of dark chocolate, cashews, sunflower kernels, almonds, chia seeds, and adaptogenic Reishi extract.

Zellee Organic Fruit Jel Variety Pack

Available in Orange Peach, Strawberry Pear, or Blueberry Grape, it’s easy to get a serving of organic fruit anytime, anywhere with this pouch variety pack from Zellee Organic.

Clif Bar Chocolate Brownie ZBar

This Clif Bar snack may look and taste like a candy bar, but it’s actually brimming with nutrient-dense ingredients like rolled oats, fig paste, and flaxseed.

The New Primal Classic Turkey Sticks

The ingredients in these snackable The New Primal sticks are downright gobble-worthy, including free-range turkey, honey, ginger, and sea salt.

Mamma Chia Chia Squeeze Strawberry Banana

With bananas, strawberries, chia seeds, and beets, you’ll be happy to pack this Mamma Chia superfood-powered pouch.

Enjoy Life Crispy Grain and Seed Bars Maple Sweet Potato

These sweet and crunchy bars from Enjoy Life are loaded with good-for-you ingredients without gluten, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, or eggs.

Go Raw Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds

Pack on their own or add to trail mix, a single serving of these Go Raw locally sourced, organic seeds delivers 7g of protein.

GoGo squeeZ Apple Peach

No added sugar here! These portable GoGo squeeZ pouches are made with 100% organic fruit and blend the flavor of tart apple with sweet peach for snack-time perfection.

KIND Kids PB & Chocolate Granola Bar

It’s cool to be KIND, especially with these chewy bars, made with 100% whole grains and 5g of sugar.

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DIY After School Snacks

Fuel up for homework time with these nourishing brain-food recipes.

Hemp Macadamia Raw Bars

Raise the bar on snacking with this homemade wholesome bar recipe of raw macadamia nuts, hemp hearts, dried apricots, and honey.

Creamy Avocado Dip

Not to be confused with guac, this creamy dip combines ripe avocados, lime juice, unsweetened almond milk, and chopped jalapeño for a nourishing after-school nosh.

Raisin Nut Bars

Chewy, nutty, and totally kid-approved, these bars are an after-school win thanks to raisins, mixed nuts, coconut chips, chia seeds, and raw honey.

Vegan Theatre-Style Popcorn

Looking for a snack your kiddos can enjoy by the handful? Pop a bowl of scrumptious vegan popcorn, made with butter-flavored coconut oil and topped with nutritional yeast.

Everything Bagel Kale Chips

These kale chips are killin’ it! The homemade spice mix of sesame seeds, garlic powder, and poppy seeds has everything the beloved bagel is famous for.

Creation Nation Peas Love & Cocoa Energy Bar Mix

This no-bake bar mix makes homemade snacking a breeze. Plus, each serving delivers 12g of plant-based protein.

Foodstirs Modern Baking Organic Chocolate Chippy Cookie Mix

Kids craving cookies? Give them a chewy, chocolate chip treat with this organic, fair trade mix.

Wild Planet Wild Albacore Tuna Pouch

This portable, sustainably caught protein fix delivers omegas and essential minerals without salt or added liquid.

Vigilant Eats Banana Chia Superfood Hot Cereal

Filling and fueling, this warming snack combines banana, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and coconut flakes with oats, oat flour, coconut sugar, maple powder, lucuma powder, hemp protein, and vanilla.