Adult Lunchables: 3 Ways

Sometimes we just don’t have the energy to prep elaborate lunches for the workweek. These 3 DIY Adult Lunchables are easy, filling, and packed with protein. They’re also super tasty! Who says lunchables are just for kids anyways?

What is an Adult Lunchable Anyways?

Do you remember “lunchables” back in the day? The all-in-one packaged lunches featuring various meal combinations like build your own pizzas and crackers and cheese? They were all the rage when I was a kid.

Well, I’m an adult and I make lunches like this all the time at home. I also refer to them as “snack plates” of finger foods that basically make up a meal. I add things like cut up fruits and vegetables, hummus or other dips, cheese, lunch meats, pretzels, hard-boiled eggs, and more. They’re a great easy healthy lunch idea!

The adult lunchable ideas I’m sharing here are great when you want something tasty and satisfying but don’t really feel like preparing a meal. Whether you’re working from home, meal-prepping your packed lunches, or need cold lunch ideas for work that don’t require re-heating, you’ll love them!

But before I share them, I thought I’d tell you my registered dietitian-approved formula for perfectly satisfying DIY lunchables for adults.

A Dietitian-Approved Formula for Balanced Lunchables:

To make these “lunchables” tasty and filling, we want them to be balanced. So what is a balanced meal anyways? Here’s what I look to include:

• Protein: I make sure to include at least one source of protein. Protein takes longer to digest compared to carbohydrates and fat, so it helps us feel full for longer!
• Fibre: Fibre is also slower to digest, and helps ensure our blood sugars are stable. In addition, it regulates our digestion to keep things running smoothly. I like to add fibre with whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and nuts and/or seeds.
• Fat: Fat helps us feel satiated. Some easy ways to add fat to these lunchables are through cheese, nuts and seeds, nut or seed butters, and avocado.
• Fruit & Vegetables: Generally speaking, we want to try to have sources of vegetables and/or fruit on our plates (or should I say lunchboxes?) at each meal. It may not always happen (hey, we’re human) but it’s good to aim for! You’ll see that all 3 adult lunchable ideas feature a variety of fruit and veggies.

I also wrote an entire article on how to pack a healthy lunch, so if you want more information, give that a read!

Healthy Lunchables for Adults 3 Ways:

Lunches like this are the perfect easy healthy lunch ideas. Here are 3 versions of the Adult Lunchables that I love!

Please note that ingredient amounts in the recipe box at the bottom of this post are just general suggestions. You may need to add more/less of certain ingredients depending on your unique needs and hunger levels.

Crackers & Cheese Adult Lunchables:

This one takes snacking on crackers and cheese and turns it into an easy, snack-y yet satisfying lunch meal!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make it:

• Your favourite crackers, like Triscuits
• Cheddar cheese, or another hard cheese
• Almonds, or other nuts like cashews, walnuts, or pistachios
• Grapes, or another fruit like strawberries, apple, or orange slices
• Sliced vegetables like carrots, cucumber and celery

Turkey Roll-Ups Adult Lunchables:

This high-protein lunchable is perfect if you really need something satisfying to hold you over on a busy day.

To make this one, you’ll need:

• Deli turkey, or other sliced deli meat like chicken breast or ham
• Havarti cheese, or another sliced cheese
• Pretzel crackers, or your favourite crackers
• Hummus, or another dip like Tzatziki or Baba Ghanoush
• Sliced vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or celery

Protein Smorgasbord Adult Lunchables:

I call this one a “smorgasbord” lunchable because it’s got a little bit of everything!

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Hard-boiled egg
• Hard cheese, like cheddar or havarti
• Fresh fruit, like apple or orange slices
• Nut or seed butter, like peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter
• Raw vegetables, like cherry tomatoes and cucumber

Storage Tips & Suggestions:

These lunchables are great for meal prep, meaning you can prepare them ahead of time and grab and go when you want to eat them! Here are some tips and suggestions for prepping and storing them:

• If storing the lunchable ingredients together in a meal-prep container, I recommend storing the crackers away from any wet fruits or vegetables to reduce the chance that the crackers will get soggy.
• Generally, the lunchables keep well in the fridge up to 3 days. Any longer than this and the fruit may not last or the crackers may begin to get soggy.

More Healthy Lunch Ideas You’ll Love:

• Easy Italian Pasta Salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad with White Beans
• Curry Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
• How to Build an Epic Veggie Sandwich

Connect with Hannah Magee, RD!

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