20 Nut And Gluten-Free Lunch Box Ideas For Kids

With many kindergartens and schools employing a nut free policy it may leave parents with a big fat WTF about what to feed their kids!

Hannah Green nails the importance of health when she said “Health is not simply the absence of sickness.”

Giving our kids the right nutrition is a vital part of parenting but this comes with a challenge as nuts, egg products and other high allergy foods have been banned from schools to protect students from anaphylaxis.

More so, kids are advised not to share their lunches and snacks with their peers to avoid severe dietary reactions. With so many children inflicted with dietary sensitivities, what foods does that leave us with to give to our kids at school?

Food Allergy Generation

Food allergy is a reasonably modern phenomenon. One in 20 children suffers from food allergy. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy or ACSIA reports that most causes of these allergies come from eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat.

It’s not simply a matter of excluding these individual foods from kids diets, we need to look closely at the ingredients included in any processed foods. Things that may not be an obvious food allergen are hidden ingredients such as peanut oils, soya lectins and other food derivatives.

Here’s 20 Nut And Gluten-Free Lunch Box Ideas For Kids:

1. Rice cakes with cream cheese and dried fruit sprinkles

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Cheese and fruit are kids favourite without the allergies.

2. Quinoa Bread

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A protein-rich bread. Chia seeds and quinoa need to be soaked over night before cooking.

3. Gluten Free Banana, Coconut, Blueberry Muffins

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Easy to make, perfect for the lunch box, and delicious to boot!

4. Crispy Chicken Strips

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Easy to make in bulk and kids love them! Like healthy KFC!

5. Nut-free, Kindy Friendly, Chocolate Popcorn Slice

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Who says kids can no longer enjoy chocolates and popcorn! They’ll thank you for this yummy bits.

6. Tahini & Wholegrain Mustard Crackers

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A quicy, easy and paleo crackers with sesame seeds kids will gobble on.

7. Beef & Lamb Meatballs with Coconut

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The healthy and better dish to complement your bolognese.

8. Crunchy Coconut Cookies

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This is another healthy cookies to put in the jar, little rascals can’t resist.

9. Zucchini Bake

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A new way to enjoy omelette and fritata in one dish.

10. Chickpea Flat Bread (Socca)

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Veggies are best paired with this succulent bread and a yogurt on the side.

11. Gluten-Free Dairy Free Banana Bread Muffins

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Taste the natural sweetness of bananas.

12. Mini Crustless Quiche

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A perfect breakfast or lunch dish for picky eaters who hate veggies.

13. Healthy Rice Bubble Slice recipe

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This recipe uses 100% brown rice.

14. Quinoa Sushi

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Go Japanese with this dish that uses a quinoa instead of sticky rice. Play with your fillings by putting either veggies or fruits. 

15. Grain-Free & Nut-Free Coconut Bread

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Grain and nut free but def’ not flavour free!

16. Simple Ricotta Hotcakes

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Ricotta hotcakes are simple and delicious with spinach or zucchini. 

17. Leftover Bolognese Pancakes

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Sneak extra veggies into these savoury pancakes and your kids won’t notice.

18. Pear and Maple Syrup Muffins

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A sweet treat, but still serving up some yummy fruits.

19. Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

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Enjoy a guilt-free sweet treat. 

20. Mini Chili Quiche

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An appetising treat your kids and husband will love. 

What are some foods that your kids are allergic to and what are your food substitutes?