Easy Gluten Free Recipes for packed lunches

Where you eat your lunch is the first thing to consider.

School children that need a gluten free diet often find a packed lunch is safer and easier to cope with than trying to choose a gluten free option from the canteen menu. However, they really don't want to stand out as being different and foods that resemble what the other kids would eat make a good choice for a packed lunch.

Here in the UK, chef Jamie Oliver has managed to alter the school foods standard resulting in healthier meals cooked with natural ingredients, many of which are gluten free. This will make it easier for coeliac children to eat safely at school.

Taking a gluten free packed lunch with you

Of course you have more options if you are at home during the day. Perhaps you are parent of young children or you work from home. With cooking appliances and a pantry at hand there is no excuse for preparing the same boring lunch every day.

With the availability of good gluten free bread (or recipes to make your own) it is possible to make sandwiches for the lunchbox. You can ring the changes on fillings, perhaps using grated cheese one day, hard boiled egg another and even peanut butter or jam if you or your child has a sweet tooth.

I can still remember the bread I had to eat when I took packed lunches to school, many years ago. It came in a cylindrical tin and I could only describe the taste as a mixture between cardboard and polystyrene! I had to drink copious amounts of water to wash it down. I am so pleased that today's gluten free bread is so much nicer. If you make your own bread you can even make savoury versions that include cheese. Tasty!

Or even try using the filling as a wrap. Soft cheese spread onto slices of ham and rolled up make a great alternative to sandwiches if you don't have bread handy.

Gluten free dips such as my recipe for mexican dip, served with crudites (fingers of raw vegetables) can make a tasty lunch.

Leftovers from last night's main meal can also prove useful for packed lunches. They also help spread the cost of a gluten free diet.

For hot meals try using a vacuum flask. Put the food in the refrigerator overnight then reheat before leaving for work or sending the children off to school. Ideal meals include chilli con carne or gluten free macaroni and cheese or other pasta recipes.

Easy gluten free recipes for nice warming home made soups also make a hearty lunch on a cold day. Served with gluten free bread they will see you through the afternoon. You could even pack some grated cheese in your lunchbox, pour the soup into a bowl, or the lid of the flask, and sprinkle the cheese on top.

Meals that were served hot the night before can be eaten cold for lunch the next day. I love cold gluten free pizza or quiche.

Buying a slightly larger joint of meat for the sunday roast can leave plenty to make Monday's lunch something special.

The same thing applies to puddings and desserts. If you make a gluten free sponge pudding save a piece to pop in the following day's lunchbox.

Or bake something especially for packing up, like gingerbread or banana bread. If make a few different ones, slice them when cool and freeze individual slices you can ring the changes by taking a different piece out each day.

Fresh fruit, of course, also makes a healthy finish to any packed lunch. An apple or banana or even a small bunch of grapes can be tucked into your lunchbox.

Now I may be unusual but I absolutely adore cold gluten free apple crumble! When I make one for supper I always cook a smaller amount in an individual sized container to take with me the next day for lunch. Served with yoghurt it is really yummy.

I hope I have helped you beat the packed lunch blues, with some ideas for easy gluten free recipes that will help give some variety back into your life.

I'd love to hear what you like to pack for snacks and packed lunches. Feel free to contact me to share your favourites by clicking on the Contact Us button at the bottom of the navigation bar to the left of the page.

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