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Just a few of the products from Trader Joe’s that make packing lunches a breeze.
I don’t know about you, but I ran out of gas for creating the perfectly balanced school lunch sometime back around November. As spring break winds down, I can see the end of the school year on the horizon and the glorious moment when I can stop thinking about school lunches. But that freedom is quickly followed by the need to pack lunches for camp — will it ever end?!
To make it through these last crazy months of the school year, I’ve come to rely on healthy(ish) snacks from my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe’s. These snacks/lunch items can bulk up that lunch box and require zero work, which is about the level I am able to give when it come to lunch these days. Read on for some of my favorite finds for easy and tasty lunch box solutions.
Protein
Chicken bites
These easy-to-pack chicken bites are fully cooked and can be eaten hot or cold. They come with honey mustard dipping sauce and a little wooden skewer. And if there is one thing we know kids love, it’s eating food off a stick! Keep a few of these in your fridge to toss into a lunch box or backpack when you want to add a simple protein with a twist.
Mini meat sticks
If your kid is more of a pepperoni or salami fan, give these mini sticks a try. They do not need to be refrigerated (until they are opened) so this is a great one to add to a lunch (or backpack) without worrying if it will get too warm waiting for lunch time. Keep a few in your car too, as an after-school snack to hand to your hangry child at the end of a long school day.
Cheddar cheese sticks
My kids were never fans of string cheese. Apparently, it is the wrong consistency and cannot be eaten. But, these cheddar cheese sticks are accepted every time! Nothing is easier than tossing one into a lunch bag or box, and I know it will get chomped down.
Chomps meat sticks
If you are packing for a carnivore, these Chomps meat sticks are another super easy way to add some protein to a lunch. Located right next to the checkout counter at my Trader Joe’s, I find myself grabbing a handful as I put my groceries on the counter. Choose from turkey or beef, spicy or original.
Guacamole
The challenge for my family with guacamole is that we never seem to eat it before it turns brown. These individual guacamole to-go packets solve that problem and are super portable. I toss them in a lunch bag with some pita chips, pretzels or whatever kind of crunchy chips we’ve got and presto — happy and full kiddo. Pro-tip: The larger size works great for an after-school snack.
Protein packs
Sometimes I need more help than a cheese stick can offer — I need a full protein package. These options are great for kids to take in their backpacks as an after-school snack, especially if they head straight to clubs or sports before coming home.
Yogurt fruit smoothies
Fruit smoothies are a great source of calcium and protein, and they taste delicious! These make a great breakfast when you are running out the door, or can be added to a lunch for a special (healthy) treat.
Beyond apple slices and carrot sticks
Dried fruit
At this point in the school year, my kids are over apple slices — our go-to fruit lunch item. Trader Joe’s has tons of different dried fruit options, with and without added sugar. We are big fans of the dried mango in our house, and my youngest son particularly enjoys the spicy variety.
Freeze-dried fruit
Who doesn’t want to eat like an astronaut? Freeze-dried fruit is a fun and healthy way to pack fruit that might otherwise end up squished in a lunch box. It crunches like a chip but is just fruit. The only downside is that these bags are pretty small and they go very quickly in my house with teens.
Edamame
I usually find edamame in the frozen or fresh sections of Trader Joe’s, both of which require some prep time. But now this healthy source of fiber and protein is available shelled and ready to eat! This is a great thing to fill up a Ziploc baggy or lunch box section for an easy, unique and filling food my kids can scoop up and pop in their mouths.
Easy treats
Protein chocolate muffin
If you have an older child with access to a microwave at school (like my middle schooler) these are going to be popular in your house. Kids who know how to make ramen will have no problem making this quick chocolate muffin packed with 12 grams of protein. Pop this in your kid’s backpack and they will be the envy of their friends when they make a hot, chocolatey dessert at school. If a microwave is not available at school, keep these on hand for a quick after-school snack or after-dinner treat.
Organic fruit leather
Fruit leathers are a great snack to add to a lunch box, or offer as an after-school snack. You are probably familiar with the tried and true flavors — Apple Raspberry, Apple Wild Berry, Apple Blueberry and Apple Strawberry. But have you tried Sour Apple Watermelon? This unexpected sweet-sour flavor combines the juiciness of watermelon with the tart taste of sour apple. Pick up a few (they only cost $0.49 each) and see if your kids give this new flavor a thumbs-up.
Don’t forget the drinks
Coconut water and spring water
Yes, reusable water bottles are always the best choice and we do have many. But at this point in the school year, most of them have been lost at parks, schools or at other locations scattered across the city of Seattle. For days when I just cannot find a reusable bottle with a functional lid, these mini bottles of coconut water and spring water are lifesavers.
Organic juice boxes
If you want to add something a little special to their lunch, a juice box is always fun. Maybe the rest of the school year can have “juice box Friday,” an excellent reward for making it through another week!
More fresh food ideas for spring: |
Editor’s note: This article was first published several years ago and was most recently updated with new items on April 9, 2026, by the author.
