Pukka packed lunches

A packed lunch for school or work can become repetitive and boring with the same foods every day. Why not introduce a bit of variety with some of our sandwich and snack ideas?

Sandwich filling ideas

Add these fillings to your favourite gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. bread, top on toasted bread, crispbread, rice cakes or crackers, or fill a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -free roll or pitta bread.

Tuna, sweetcorn and chilli - Mix together half a tin of tuna, a tablespoon of sweetcorn and a teaspoon of mayonnaise*. Add a pinch of chilli powder for an extra kick.

Red pesto chicken - Take one small cooked chicken breast and chop into pieces.  Mix with two teaspoons of red pesto*.

Pepper and avocado - Mash half an avocado and mix with half a deseeded, chopped red pepper and a teaspoon of mayonnaise*.  Add to your sandwich with fresh salad.

Cream cheese and pesto - Spread your bread or roll with a thin layer of green pesto* and top with soft cheese.

Brie and grape - Top the bread with sliced Brie and halved green seedless grapes.

Beef and watercress - Fill a roll or sandwich with leftover sliced beef and a handful of watercress and perhaps a bit of horseradish sauce*. 

Chocolate Banana - Spread with chocolate spread* and top with sliced banana.

Coronation Chicken - Take one small cooked chicken breast and chop into pieces.  Mix with two teaspoons of mayonnaise*, curry powder* to taste and two chopped dried apricots or golden raisins/sultanas.

Top tip - If you don’t want your sandwich to go soggy, add the filling just before lunch, or use lettuce leaves to protect the bread!

Savoury snack ideas

• Pack a small pot of houmous* with carrot batons or celery sticks and mini gluten-free breadsticks*.
• Cold gluten-free pizza* can be a great way to use up leftovers for packed lunches the next day.
• Quick pasta salad – Mix together a tablespoon of mixed beans with 4 tablespoons of cooked gluten-free pasta, chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella or feta cheese and herbs. Stir in a tablespoon of your favourite dressing* and serve with salad leaves.

Sweet snack ideas

• Fruit, nut and seed mix – Make your own mix with any combination of dried fruit and nuts, for example; raisins, dried apricots, dried cranberries, dried coconut, pumpkin seeds, linseed, pecans and walnuts.
• Fromage frais, crème fraiche or natural yogurt can be used as a sweet dip for eating with sliced apple, pear and strawberries.
• Fruit is the ultimate fast food - apples, kiwi fruit, bananas, satsumas, grapes and berries are great healthy snacks. 

For more information on healthier packed lunches, please visit the School Food Trust website.