Main Dish Ideas:

A thermos can help turn last night’s dinner into today’s lunch.

Make extra gluten-free pasta or pasta salads, chicken and rice, rice and beans, casseroles, fish sticks or meatballs and use the leftovers to make a great lunch.  Homemade ravioli, pierogies and even leftover gluten-free pizza make a great next day lunch, warm or cold.

Being gluten-free doesn’t mean sandwiches are banned from your lunch-box.

Double check that your lunchmeat is gluten-free or use tasty spreads like hummus, then add all your favorite sandwich toppings.  Pair with your favorite gluten-free bread (homemade is always better).  Sandwiches often turn out best if you keep the fixings separate from the bread/wrap until lunchtime.  Just keep in two separate containers and put together for a fresh and delicious sandwich when you’re ready for it.

Wrap it up!

Flour tortillas are terrific ways to wrap up whatever fillings you have left over in your fridge or happen to hanker for.  Make extra tortillas and store in your freezer so you always have a stash for lunches.  Try this easy recipe and start enjoying soft flour tortillas again anytime!

For a light & healthy option, use large pieces of leafy greens, and make your own lettuce wraps with your favorite lunch meat, tofu or hummus with vegetable toppings.

Peanut butter and jelly is a lunch-box classic.

Pair with bread, rice cakes, toasted gluten-free waffles, celery, apples or carrots.

Tuna/Chicken/Egg Salads are great paired with gluten-free crackers.

Keep the crackers in a separate container so they stay crunchy.

Soup is especially satisfying in the winter and can be kept warm in a thermos.

Mix in rice, quinoa, or gluten-free pasta for a heartier, more filling soup.

Salad greens are a great healthy base for all your favorite toppings:

Bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, carrots, tuna, salmon, chicken, sunflower seeds, beets, black beans, rice, tofu, rice noodles, onions, raisins, fruit, avocado…any flavor combination that appeals!  Put gluten-free dressing in a small container to keep the salad from getting soggy before lunch.

Side Dish Ideas (choose a few!):

There are lots of pre-packed sides that your child can pick out for their own lunch and they look just like what the other kids have in their lunch boxes!  Rather than buying individual serving packs, you can make your own “juice box” or applesauce cup with small, environmentally-friendly reusable containers.

Yogurt

add your favorite gluten-free cereal, granola or muesli on top (try soy or coconut yogurt as  delicious dairy-free options!)

Fresh fruit

Apples with peanut butter

Applesauce cups

Carrot sticks with hummus or peanut butter

Celery and peanut butter

(add raisins for ants on a log!)

Cheese sticks

Gluten-free crackers or chips and hummus or peanut butter

(try GF rice crackers or brands like Hol-Grain, Glutino or Food Should Taste Good)

Potato chips

(Lay’s gluten-free list is very helpful and Utz potato chips are clearly labeled gluten-free)

Popcorn

Gluten-free pretzels

(Glutino pretzels are great!)

Peanuts, mixed nuts, homemade trail mix

Almonds

Raisins

Jello cups

Make your own snack mix:

Rice, Corn, Honey Nut, Cinnamon or Chocolate Chex, dried fruit, GF pretzels, nuts, etc. – yum!

Bora Bora Bars, Lara Bars or other gluten-free bars

GF chips and salsa

GF graham crackers

(Jules Gluten Free™ Graham Cracker mix makes dozens!)

Also check out my Jules’ Back-to-School Ebook with tons more tips and recipes

to make school time less stressful for parents and for gluten-free kids!