Whether you want a stress-free meal prep or need a few new ideas for both kid and adult lunches and snacks, a healthy bistro box like this Cali lunch is always a great idea. This post will show you how to build a bistro box fast with healthy and fresh ingredients.
What are Bistro Boxes?
Bistro boxes are a great lunch option that requires minimal effort in putting together and incorporates a healthy variety of nutrients into the lunch.
This Cali Lunch Box has sliced turkey, hummus, pita chips, crumbled bacon, and veggies. Aside from being fresh and delicious, you probably have the ingredients you need already! Now that’s #winning!
I love to incorporate simple lunches like this, packed along with other items for bigger appetites because they come together super fast and I know you probably love to save time!
Healthy bistro box ideas are great because they feel like a treat since they remind kids of Lunchables and us adults of those fancy little packages found in one of our favorite coffee shops. Yup, those!
Want to pack your own? It’s SO easy and will save you time in the kitchen as well as money at the store!
Here are a few tips for packing great healthy bistro boxes:
1. Choose the right snack box or lunch container
I highly recommend lunch containers that have compartments like these Easy Lunchboxes for the lunch size or their snack boxes for the snack size.
Both are durable, inexpensive, and a great option for both kids and adults. Still, shopping for lunchboxes? Check out this video:
2. Use Fresh Ingredients
A bistro box (aka adult lunchables) offers a variety and balance of protein, whole grains, fresh fruit, and veggies.
Here is a list of ingredients for a healthy bistro box:
Protein:
- Deli meats
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Cheese sticks
- Sliced grilled chicken
- Hummus
- Chicken or tuna salad
- Beans
Whole Grains:
- Whole grain crackers
- Pita wedges
- Finger sandwiches made with whole wheat bread
- Oatmeal Energy Bites
Fresh Fruit & Veggies:
- Sliced apples
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Baby carrots
- Cherry tomatoes
- Celery sticks
- Sliced cucumber
- Bell pepper strips
Healthy Fats:
- Avocado or guacamole
- Nuts and seeds
- Coconut pieces
- Cheese (also a protein)
- Olives
- Salmon (also a protein)
Of course, these are suggestions to help you get started! Get creative and build out a bigger lunch by including a wrap or a sandwich, yogurt cups, or even a couple of energy bites for an extra treat!
3. Pack ahead
Want to make these ahead of time? Go for it! It’s one of the reasons I make and enjoy these healthy bistro boxes all the time. Depending on which ingredients you pack, you can prep these and store them in the fridge for 3 to 5 days!
Items like chicken salad, tuna salad, sandwiches, pinwheels will probably need to be prepared and eaten within 2 to 3 days. Other than that, fruits, veggies, and deli cuts can be packed into lunch containers and refrigerated until ready to place in the lunch bag in the later 3 to 5-day window.
Simple and fresh lunch ideas like this one are also found in the 101 Packed Lunches eBook. It’s filled with all sorts of kid-approved lunches for wraps, sandwiches, hot lunches, and of course, bento boxes!
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
Other Bistro Box Ideas
What are some of your favorite ways to build a healthy bistro box? Grab this recipe below to get you started!
Cali Bistro Box
Ingredients
- 8 slices deli turkey breast
- ½ cup hummus
- 20 pita chips
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- ¼ cup bacon bits
- ½ cup grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Evenly divide the ingredients between 2 lunch containers with compartments. Pack the hummus into 2 lidded sauce containers, if needed.
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