Out of ideas for packed lunches? Maybe it's time to change things up

Whether you’re packing for school, camp or a day out at the beach, prepping healthy, balanced meals that fit into boxes doesn't have to be difficult.

If they are getting tired of the same sandwiches over and over again, or fed up of the standard chopped veggies, maybe it's time to mix things up a bit and try some new combos to help you get out of your packed-lunch rut.

The shelves at Choithrams.com are loaded with go-to brands, many of which have done the hard work for you. Try these super easy (yet still healthy) and tasty options.

#1 Rollin with cheese

1. Turkey and Cheddar cheese roll-up
2. Fresh berries
3. Yoghurt
4. Trail mix 

Lay some lean turkey and cheese slices on freshly-baked wraps or Arabic bread. Roll until the end and then slice rolls into sushi-style pieces. Secure with toothpicks if necessary (and if your kids are old enough to remove them), or just pack sideways.

#2 Easy pasta salad

Cold pasta salad is a great option to make, especially if you are short on time and have leftover ingredients hanging around in the fridge.

It's also easy to make ahead of time and feast on all week, if necessary. Choose whole-wheat pasta for the extra fibre and it will help keep your kids full for longer.

1. Healthy pasta salad
2. Hard-boiled eggs
3. Melon pieces

Whole-wheat pasta takes a little longer to cook but it's worth it. Pick up a readymade Italian dressing, some cherry tomatoes, lightly-cooked broccoli (fresh or frozen), cooked green beans (fresh or frozen). Simply toss it all together and top with cheese.

Carry in style

A lunch box should be durable, easy to clean and carry, and hold enough food to satisfy the appetite of your little (or big) one.

Different meals do sometimes require different vessels, especially when it comes to bento boxes, lunch bowls and fully-insulated options. Let us help meet your lunch box needs ahead of the school term.

We love the Lock & Lock Lunch Box set, with various separate boxes for different food courses. The handy carry bag also means transporting precious goods is simple and easy.

Consider the environment

If sustainability is on your mind, this clever set from Ecosak is a great choice. A fully-reusable cutlery set, in the form of the Ecopath Lunch Kit, means you can enjoy your food and take your utensils home to be washed, dried and used time and time again.