100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas! Eating on-the-go doesn’t have to be complicated! Just stick to nourishing, unprocessed, real food! Need some inspiration? Here’s over 100 real food lunchbox ideas to get you started! 

Packing lunches doesn’t have to be dull and boring.

Whether you’re on-the-go, needing to come up with ideas for school lunches, or wanting to find some inspiration to get out of a food rut, I’ve got you covered with over 100 gluten-free, real food lunch ideas.

Packing a lunch is actually pretty simple. Just keep it real, unprocessed and make it fun.

Leftovers are always great and make excellent additions for lunches. Fresh veggies and fruits are super simple – just eat with the season and choose what sounds best to you. And keep it full of flavor so you make your taste buds happy!

Go ahead and live a little too, I am all for having some yummy treats. Remember … keep it simple and don’t make yourself crazy making an elaborate lunch. Just have fun with it!

Here’s a peak at one of my recent real food lunchbox ideas for on-the-go lunches.

I packed a bunch of goodies that I shared with my Tiny Love. For the main protein, I made organic ham rollups with raw organic cheddar cheese and fermented pickles {I always like to include at least one fermented food with our meals}.

I filled up the larger round container with grass-fed organic whole plain yogurt, with a little bit of my favorite grass-fed collagen mixed in for extra protein and drizzled with raw honey {we added blueberries to it too}.

For organic veggies, I packed some carrots, cucumber and Sungold cherry tomatoes. The little round container has organic cultured sour cream {Nancy’s brand} with a little bit of Celtic sea salt and some spices mixed into it for a homemade french onion veggie dip.

For the organic fruit, I packed some white nectarines, plums and blueberries {eat with the season}. I added a few delicious organic Medjool dates, removed the pits and put some sea salted macadamia nuts in them for a little extra healthy fat.

And of course, I always need a little bit of sweet with my meals … chocolate always has a special place in my heart. There’s a few squares of my favorite fair-trade, organic chocolate caramel crunch with sea salt bar in the center.

Not shown in the photo is kombucha. We almost always have a fermented drink like kombucha, water kefir or Switchel with our meals. One of my favorite brands is GT’s Kombucha. My family’s favorite flavors are Trilogy, Guava Goddess, Gingerade and Passionberry Bliss.

My kids and I love this eco-friendly lunchbox container from PlanetBox that I packed this lunch in. It’s come in handy several times this summer on day trips and outings.

My girls also love to sit together and use it as a tray at home for lunch, each of them using one side of the tray … they think it’s pretty cool. It also comes with an insulated fabric carry bag that has compartments for utensils, napkins, and a small drink bottle.

My little one, Tiny Love calls it her purse … too cute. Ours came with some fun ocean-themed magnets that the girls like to stick on the container. It adds a little fun flair. Like the lunchbox? Get it here.

100+ Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Photo Copyright ~ And Here We Are

Main Course Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

AIP Breakfast Pork Sausage from What Great Grandma Ate

Homemade Maple Apple Chicken Breakfast Sausages by yours truly

Ham Cream Cheese Pickle Roll Ups from Wholesome Yum

Easy Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce from Allergy Free Alaska

Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets from Whole New Mom

Low Carb Cajun Cauliflower Mini Dogs from Beauty and the Foodie

Healthy Tuna Salad & Cucumber Bites without Mayo from The Rising Spoon

Chelo Kebabs and Cucumber Yogurt Salad from And Here We Are {pictured above}

Spring Rolls with Rice and Eggs from Prepare & Nourish

Yes You Can: Cure and Smoke Your Own Ham from And Here We Are

Classic Deviled Eggs and Guacamole Devils from Common Sense Homesteading

Ground Beef Jerky from Common Sense Homesteading

Cheap & Easy Beef Jerky Strips from Allergy Free Alaska

“Roadkill” Sandwich Spread or Dip from Common Sense Homesteading

Humble Salmon Patties from Eat Beautiful

Zucchini Salmon Cakes from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Paleo Salmon Cakes from A Girl Worth Saving

Summer Veggie Pasta Salad from Strength & Sunshine

Cheezy Roasted Vegetable Quinoa from Strength & Sunshine

Lemon, Garlic Quinoa Salad from Peace, Love & Kale with Carly Shankman

Homemade Potato Salad by yours truly

Creamy Herb Chicken Salad with Pomegranate by yours truly

Gluten Free Broccoli Fritters with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce by yours truly

Meat & Potato Muffins from Next Breakfast

Bacon Egg Cheddar & Kale Breakfast Muffins from The Rising Spoon

Smoked Salmon and Cabbage Frittata from Next Breakfast

Healthy Instant Pot Bacon Broccoli Frittata by yours truly

Kale and Bacon Quiches with Hash Brown Crust from A Calculated Whisk

Crustless Spring Quiche by yours truly

Grain Free Pizza Quiche by yours truly

Spicy Zuppa Toscana {Potato & Sausage} Soup from The Rising Spoon

Photo Copyright ~ Raia’s Recipes

Snacks, Crackers & Dips Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Almond Butter Stuffed Dates from Holistic Health Herbalist

Salted Crispy Almonds from Raising Generation Nourished

No Bake Energy Bites from Eat Pray Love … More

Chocolate Coconut Almond Spread from This Is So Good

Coconut Macadamia Paleo Protein Balls from The Paleo Fix

Cranberry-Walnut Powerballs from Common Sense Homesteading

Strawberry Coconut Bites from This Is So Good

Cinnamon Apple Chips from This Is So Good

Homemade Gluten Free Cheddar Cheese Crackers by yours truly

Simple & Quick Homemade Crackers from Raising Generation Nourished

Simple 5 Ingredient Blender Batter Crackers from Raising Generation Nourished

Homemade “Cheez It” Crackers from Whole New Mom

Vegan Homemade Crackers from Lentils from Whole New Mom

Gluten Free Buttermilk Rice Crackers from Raia’s Recipes

Gluten-Free Garlic & Herb Sourdough Crackers from Raia’s Recipes {pictured above}

Nut Free Paleo Crackers from What Great Grandma Ate

Almond Crackers – Rosemary and Cinnamon Honey from This Is So Good

Simple Soaked Gluten Free Crackers from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Pumpkin Spice Graham Crackers from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Healthy Rice Cake Topping Ideas by yours truly

Zucchini Chips from Wholesome Yum

Cajun-Seasoned Sweet Potato Fries from Prepare & Nourish

Paleo Blueberry Granola from Raising Generation Nourished

Simple Cinnamon Granola from Raising Generation Nourished

Strawberry Granola from This Is So Good

Banana Granola from This Is So Good

Goji Berry Paleo Granola from What Great Grandma Ate

Paleo Chia Honey Power Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars from Red and Honey

Instant Pot Applesauce in 3 Minutes by yours truly

Popcorn – Sweet, Savory, Spicy and Covered in Chocolate from The Organic Kitchen

Surprisingly Good Seasoned Popcorn from Whole New Mom

“Dorito” Flavored Popcorn from Whole New Mom

Can’t Stop Eating ‘Em Crispy Green Bean Chips from Whole New Mom

Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Chips from Happy Mothering

Crunchy Maple Cinnamon Chickpeas from Eat Pray Love … More

Roasted Smoked Paprika Cinnamon Chickpeas from Strength & Sunshine

Honey Chipotle Snack Mix from A Girl Worth Saving

Southwest Roasted Sweet Potato Dip from Studio Botanica

Real Food Pimento Cheese by yours truly

Healthy Beet Cashew Dip by yours truly

Babaganoush from And Here We Are

Sardines Dip from Grass Fed Girl

Paleo 7 Layer Bean Free Dip from Eat Beautiful

Garlic Kale Hummus from Strength & Sunshine

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus from Strength & Sunshine

Easy Kosher Dills from Raia’s Recipes

Homemade Refrigerator Pickles by yours truly

Ginger-Lime Salsa with Kiwi, Jicama and Tomatillos from Eat Beautiful

Fresh Summer Salsa with Cucumber by yours truly

Tomato Basil Cauliflower Rice from Strength & Sunshine

Onion Bhajis from Next Breakfast

Potato Puffs from Our Small Hours

Muffins & Bars Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Grain Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins by yours truly

Mini Eggnog Donut Muffins from Hybrid Rasta Mama

Grain Free Protein-Packed Blueberry Muffins by yours truly {pictured above}

Protein-Packed Paleo Blueberry Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins by yours truly 

Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins from Hybrid Rasta Mama & The Herbal Spoon

Blueberry Muffins from Raising Generation Nourished

Protein-Packed Grain Free Chocolate Banana Muffins by yours truly 

Pizza Muffins from Raising Generation Nourished

Soaked Granola Muffins from Raia’s Recipes

Zucchini Banana Muffins from This Is So Good

Chunky Monkey Muffins from This Is So Good

Power Breakfast Muffins from Strength & Sunshine

Sour Cream Cherry Coffee Cake Muffins by yours truly 

Energy Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Simple Soaked Granola Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Molasses Protein Snack Bars from Raising Generation Nourished

Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Bars from Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Simple Soaked Quinoa Bars from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

No Bake Nut-Free Chocolate Date Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Cornbread from Raia’s Recipes

Gluten Free Honey Butter Glazed Cornbread by yours truly

Photo Copyright ~ Raising Generation Nourished

Breads & Wraps Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Focaccia Flax Bread from Whole New Mom

Honey Flax Bread from Raia’s Recipes

Gluten Free Flat Bread from Prepare & Nourish

Gluten Free “White” Bread from Allergy Free Alaska

Gluten-Free Pita Bread from Raising Generation Nourished {pictured above}

Low Carb Paleo Tortillas with Coconut Flour from Wholesome Yum

4 Ingredient Paleo Crepes from Prepare & Nourish

Zucchini Lemon Waffles {Grain Free} by yours truly

Healthy Paleo Protein Packed Orange Vanilla Waffles by yours truly

Photo Copyright ~ Common Sense Homesteading

Gummies & Fruit Leather Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Winter Squash Fruit Leather from Eat Beautiful

Strawberry Fruit Roll-Up from Life Currants

Homemade Fruit Snacks from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Honey Orange Fruit Snacks from Raia’s Recipes

Homemade Healthy Kombucha Fruit Snacks from Homemade Mommy

Probiotic Raspberry Fruit Chews from Happy Healthnut

Homemade Chocolate Gummies by yours truly

Concord Grape Gummies by yours truly

Kombucha Lemon Gummies from Raia’s Recipes

Grapefruit Gummies from Raia’s Recipes

Pumpkin Pie Gummies from Raia’s Recipes

Ginger Honey Gummy Snacks from It’s a love/love thing

Fruit and Veggie Gummy Snacks from Live Simply

Antioxidant Rich Berry Gummies from Raising Generation Nourished

Melon Gummies from Delicious Obsessions and Raising Generation Nourished

Ice Cream Flavored Yogurt Gummies from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Zucchini Gummy Candy from Common Sense Homesteading

Strawberry-Banana Gummy Candy from Common Sense Homesteading {pictured above}

Immune System Supporting Elderberry & Kombucha Gummies from Food Your Body Will Thank You For

Sweet Treat Real Food Lunchbox Ideas

Fudgy Grain Free Brownies {Paleo + Nut Free} by yours truly {pictured above}

Vitamin C Hibiscus Rose Hip Marshmallows by yours truly

Healthy Brownie Bites from Primally Inspired

Raw Chocolate Macaroons from Eat Pray Love … More

Raw Cacao Surprise Bites from Loveurbelly

Chocolate Covered Almonds from A Calculated Whisk

Caramel Glazed Macadamia Nuts from Delicious Obsessions

Protein & Veggie Packed Cassava Flour Breakfast Chocolate Chip Cookies by yours truly

Grain Free Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies by yours truly

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Cookies from Raia’s Recipes

2 Ingredient Banana Coconut Cookies from Grok Grub

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies from Raia’s Recipes

Grain-Free Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies from Tasty Yummies

Gluten Free Inside Out Oreos from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Grain Free Chocolate Crinkles by yours truly

Grain Free Ginger Molasses Cookies by yours truly

Cherry Chocolate Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Sweet Potato Pecan Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Fudgy Pecan Pie Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Paleo Lemon Bars from A Girl Worth Saving

Homemade Smores Bars {Grain Free} by yours truly

Smooth Chocolate Chia Pudding by yours truly

Easy Real Food Strawberry Panna Cotta by yours truly

Golden Milk Custard with Cookie Crumb by yours truly

Chocolate Cinnamon Gelatin Jigglers from Food Your Body Will Thank You For

Cherry Rhubarb Jello from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

Homemade Orange Jello by yours truly

Homemade Herbal Tea Jello by yours truly

Sunshine Jello from Clean Eating Kitchen

Homemade Lemon Curd or Lime Curd by yours truly

Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting by yours truly 

Are you on Pinterest? I pin lots of yummy real food recipes + more there. I have a board just for School Lunches & Snack ideas too. Come follow along. 

MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

School Season Natural Wellness Tips

Protein Packed Paleo Blueberry Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Smooth Chocolate Chia Pudding

Disclosure: I received a Rover Lunchbox from Planetbox to use and review, all opinions are my own. 

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