Non UPF packed lunch ideas

It’s not easy coming up with new ideas for packed lunches is it? The school or nursery will likely have some rules too. No packets, no nuts, no dairy, X number of fruit/veggies.

It’s tricky.

Then you’ve read loads about how we shouldn’t be eating UPF, and now you’re adding an extra layer to your already stressful packed lunch making saga.

So, I’ve been thinking about it for you. Here are my non UPF packed lunch ideas. Now — full disclosure here. I’m not perfect. My girls love a bag of fishy shell shaped crisps… But I never buy them unless they’re with me and they make a demand. A very loud, very public demand.

Non UPF packed lunch sandwich fillings

Before I dive into sandwiches, bread from the supermarket gets a really bad rep. You’re best bet is heading to the local bakery for a loaf, or make your own which is just a mix of flour, water, yeast and salt – I also add a little honey and salt.

That being said, if you shop in supermarkets and don’t have time to make bread or go to the bakery, there are some supermarket brands that are okay. Jason’s Soughdough is okay (Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Water, Salt, Fermented Wheat Flour).

There’s also an app called “Too good to go” where you can find local bakery’s and sign up to get a bag of goodies at the end of the day for around £3. Before I’ve got some delicious homemade cob rolls and a loaf. Though, you never know what you might get.

When you’ve chosen your bread, or made it, here are some excellent non UPF sandwich fillings:

• Tuna
• Salmon
• Cheese
• Soft cheese and cucumber
• Egg
• Brie and beetroot sandwich
• Hummus and roast veggies (Make your own hummus – tahini, olive oil, chickpeas, salt, garlic, and lemon.)

Non UPF packed lunch ideas other than sandwiches

Sandwiches can get boring. If you’re finding them at the bottom of your little ones bag all squished, it might be time to mix it up. Here are some non-UPF packed lunch ideas that aren’t sarnies.

• Homemade quiche. This is a bit of a faff, but if you make it often you’ll probably get pretty speedy at it. You can also make enough for the whole week. You’ll thank yourself for the effort.
• Frittata. Shove a load of veggies in this, and it’s excellent with feta and butternut squash. Delicious cold, too.
• Pasta and homemade pesto. Homemade pesto is literally olive oil, basil, pine nuts, and hard cheese. You can even swap pine nuts for walnuts. In fact, last week I used sesame seeds as I didn’t have pine nuts or walnuts. It was great.
• Homemade wraps or pitas with black/butter/kidney beans and hummus

Non UPF packed lunch snacks

When I was at school we had a sandwich, pack of crisps and a Rocky bar. Classic. The crisps and Rocky are out. But, that doesn’t mean the snack part can’t be fun, right?

• Yoghurt – Try natural with honey stirred through it
• Fruit. Keep it interesting with melon, blueberries, kiwi (Don’t buy it pre cut. Pre cut fruit has a much higher carbon footprint.)
• Rasins, dried fruit, dates
• Homemade cupcakes
• Homemade non UPF Barney Bears
• Date balls (without peanut butter if you’ve got a nut free school)
• Homemade non UPF flapjacks
• Celery and dip
• Celery and Peanut Butter with raisins (not if you’re a nut free school though)
• Veggie sticks and hummus or homemade tzatziki dip
• Homemade banana pancakes and honey dip
• Homemade beetroot and banana pancakes
• Tortilla chips or hand cooked crisps (like ready salted fancy ones from the supermarket, these are the best option for non-upf crisps.)
• Egg muffins
• Boiled egg. My girls love these in their lunch, super smelly though!
• Feta, mint and potato bake (Slice potato, mint, olive oil, cheese, feta tomato and courgette all baked together for 1 hour. Delicious hot and cold!!)
• Breakfast muffins with oats and blueberries

Still feeling stuck?

Break free from supermarket bread and boring lunches. Time to mix things up with non upf packed lunch ideas.