OT - School Lunch Ideas

[100AcreWood]

After checking Pinterest, I decided this may be a better place to ask. I can't believe I saw a lunch in the shape of Rapunzel with spaghetti hair! Who has that much time?

I would love some realistic lunch ideas - fruit is easy, it's the other stuff I struggle with. My three kids will not eat sandwiches. I have a thermos I use to put hot leftovers in but I would LOVE to hear what everyone puts in their kids' lunch boxes. I had lunch with dd last week but I was not inspired by the other kids' lunches. Mostly PB&J and lunchables.

Thank you!

 

[Gorechick]

My DS8 regularly eats a salami or turkey with cheese sandwich, banana, yogurt, and water to drink. He will bring Nutrigrain bars for snack. Occasionally, he will have a turkey, ham, or bologna lunchable. DD8 doesn't like sandwiches either so she'll have lunchmeat rollups, cheese stick, applesauce or other fruit. She likes goldfish or cheez-its for snack.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

After checking Pinterest, I decided this may be a better place to ask. I can't believe I saw a lunch in the shape of Rapunzel with spaghetti hair! Who has that much time?

I would love some realistic lunch ideas - fruit is easy, it's the other stuff I struggle with. My three kids will not eat sandwiches. I have a thermos I use to put hot leftovers in but I would LOVE to hear what everyone puts in their kids' lunch boxes. I had lunch with dd last week but I was not inspired by the other kids' lunches. Mostly PB&J and lunchables.

Thank you!

At DD's preschool they will microwave lunches, so we will give her mac and cheese sometimes. Her favorite thing is we give her quesadillas. I don't know if that's too much like a sandwich for your kids, but my DD hates regular sandwiches and LOVES quesadillas (even cold!)

 

[OhanaBreadPudding]

My son isn't school aged yet, but I make his lunches everyday. What about some hearty muffins in place of a sandwich? Weelicious is a great website for healthy recipes. Her peanut butter banana muffins are fantastic and very filling!

 

[RainK]

My DD is super duper picky while my son will eat anything.

DD gets:
Bagels, cereal (she buys milk), pastina soup in thermos, pasta in thermos, occasionally room temp pizza from bakery, Subway ham & cheese sandwich...(she won't eat it from any where else)

DS gets: deli sandwich like bologna n chz, jelly sandwich, pasta in thermos, cereal, meatballs in thermos, beef stew in thermos, soups (variety)?

Side items: apples, strawberries, bananas, gogurt frozen, baked chips, apple sauce, or anything else we have in the house. We try to keep it healthy.

I let them buy lunch 1 time a week at most.

 

[SEA333]

Rubbermaid has a new line of containers out called LunchBlox - they are PERFECT for packing kid lunches, and they come with a ice pack that snaps into place with the compartments. It's really cool, and we use ours daily. I usually pack my kids a total of 4 things - a main item with two sides, and a classroom mid-morning snack, which fit perfectly into the Lunchblox.

So, what goes in? We do sandwiches, but not very often because my kids get bored of them. Salads are a must-do at least once a week - lettuce, shredded cheese, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and chopped up ham, turkey, or chicken. I will use leftover chicken/turkey if we have it, but if not, I think it's Oscar Meyer that sells chicken breast strips in the deli section (which I chop up). A little bit of salad dressing goes in one of the small Lunchblox containers.Other alternatives to a sandwich could be a cheese stick wrapped with turkey or ham and lettuce, a bagel with cream cheese, french bread and butter, yogurt and a muffin, tuna, chicken, or turkey salad with crackers on the side or in a lettuce wrap, cereal (purchasing the milk for the cereal at school), or cheese, lunchmeat, and crackers. I tried soup and other hot foods, but I've yet to find a good thermos that doesn't leak, that my kids can open, and that keeps the food hot. My kids are really good, adventurous eaters and are good sports about all of the healthy food I make them eat LOL, but give them lukewarm soup and it's anarchy!!

Sides:
any type of fresh fruit
carrots
cucumbers
grape tomatos
goldfish crackers
cheese-its
granola bars
cheese sticks
popcorn
mini rice cakes
cereal bars
applesauce
fruit cups (especially in the middle of winter here in the midwest!)
GoGurt/yogurt/danimals

VERY occassionally (literally only about once a month or less):
cookies
chips
packaged baked goods

 

[Taylor'sMom]

We bought some Lunchblox rubbermaid kits too. Doesnt help with the OP's question really, but DD enjoys helping pack her OWN lunches now. Sandwich or a mini bagel in the large cube and then ahe has a certain number of cubes she can fill. She knows the medium one has to have a fruit or veggie, and the other 2 small cubes can be a healthy snack/side (like pretzels or yogurt) and a small dessert. Even when we buy fruit cups or single-serve yogurt, she pours into the cube. Makes is "fun" for her I guess... like building the lunch cube is a puzzle... helps with portion control too, and making sure each food group is represented in the righg proportions.

 

[100AcreWood]

Thanks for the suggestions - keep them coming!

Today I packed fruit, pepperoni, ham roll roll ups, tortillas and popcorn.

 

[amym2]

DS11 would eat the same thing every day, but I usually alternate turkey roll-ups and PB on Wheat Thins (the Big size). Occasionally he'll take jelly on saltines.

DD9 likes a variety- tuna on saltines, Bagel Bites (I just cook them then put them in a Rubbermaid container and she'll eat them any temp), leftover pizza (wrapped in aluminum foil), turkey roll-ups with cream cheese inside.

Both kids will occasionally take chicken noodle soup in a Thermos. If I pour boiling water into the Thermos and let it sit 5 min and then immediately pour in really hot soup, it stays hot enough for them (and DS is very picky on food temp).

For sides we do cheese sticks or chunks, fruit, chips, Craisins, granola bars, yogurt, crackers. I wish I could get my kids to eat cold veggies but they usually don't get eaten.

 

[Happyjen27]

I sell a lot of stuff on crackers that my kids aren't keen on with bread.

So, I'll put a container of egg salad in there, and separately crackers. They make their own. I do the same for tuna, and cheese and ham/turkey.

Bagels are always a hit. (that might be too sandwichy though?)

Chicken salad inside a croissant is a nice way to do a sandwich without doing a sandwich.

Soups/lasagne/ravioli/casseroles in a thermos are good.

I also sometimes just do the "hungry kids eat" tactic and then leave the choice to them. Eat what I've packed, or be hungry. Around my home I say a lot "it doesn't have to be your best favorite to be eaten".

 

[maplevale]

ODD is 5 and in grade 1.... her lunch tastes so far are very basic! She LOVES her fruit so that is easy. I tend to sent a lot of 'snacks' and make sure to cover all the food groups. Our schools do 2 'nutrition' breaks evenly spaces during the day instead of the traditional 'recess-lunch-recess' and I am finding DD is actually eating better and coming home less hungry!! Our schools are also totally nut free!

Tuesday (First day of school)
Turkey peperoni stick
grapes
Go-Go Squeeze applesauce
Yogurt
1 slice Raisin bread
Granola Bar
Goldfish

Wednesday
Turkey peperoni stick
grapes
Go-Go Squeeze applesauce
1 slice Raisin bread
Veggies and Dip

Thursday
Turkey Peperoni stick
cheese string
yogurt
cantaloupe
Go-Go Squeeze applesauce
cream cheese and strawberry jam roll-ups (see if she ate them! She said she wouldn't like cream cheese on bread!)
Tortilla chips


Other things we have had success with are:
veggies and hummus
chips and guaca
hard boiled eggs (only the whites)
bagels with cream cheese (bonus if they are little bagels but only one store seems to carry them here!)
ham/salami rolls (rolled up deli-tray style)
Ham cubes (on tooth picks like kebobs)
cold pizza
edemame (soy beans! Yumm and full of protein)
Mac and cheese/pasta (sometimes hot in the thermos, sometimes cold in the lunch box)

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

ODD is 5 and in grade 1.... her lunch tastes so far are very basic! She LOVES her fruit so that is easy. I tend to sent a lot of 'snacks' and make sure to cover all the food groups. Our schools do 2 'nutrition' breaks evenly spaces during the day instead of the traditional 'recess-lunch-recess' and I am finding DD is actually eating better and coming home less hungry!! Our schools are also totally nut free!

Tuesday (First day of school)
Turkey peperoni stick
grapes
Go-Go Squeeze applesauce
Yogurt
1 slice Raisin bread
Granola Bar
Goldfish

Wednesday
Turkey peperoni stick
grapes
Go-Go Squeeze applesauce
1 slice Raisin bread
Veggies and Dip

Thursday
Turkey Peperoni stick
cheese string
yogurt
cantaloupe
Go-Go Squeeze applesauce
cream cheese and strawberry jam roll-ups (see if she ate them! She said she wouldn't like cream cheese on bread!)
Tortilla chips


Other things we have had success with are:
veggies and hummus
chips and guaca
hard boiled eggs (only the whites)
bagels with cream cheese (bonus if they are little bagels but only one store seems to carry them here!)
ham/salami rolls (rolled up deli-tray style)
Ham cubes (on tooth picks like kebobs)
cold pizza
edemame (soy beans! Yumm and full of protein)
Mac and cheese/pasta (sometimes hot in the thermos, sometimes cold in the lunch box)

What brand is the turkey pepperoni stick? Nitrites or no?

 

[Minnesota!]

One thing that works well for us is I make a big batch of pasta salad and then pack that in each lunch for the week.

Pasta (we like the Trader Joe's Brown Rice pasta), cubed cheeses, salami or ham, and whatever veggies we have on hand. I like broccoli, olives, and cauliflower. Then I toss in parm cheese and Italian dressing. They love it!

Or shells with chicken, cheese, peas, shredded carrots, broccoli, and some ranch.

Always a fruit.

Younger son loves green salads so we do that.

Nuts.

Tortilla roll ups.

Crackers/meat/cheese

Leftover pizza.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My kids pack their own lunches. The like:

Carrot sticks (I cut up a bunch on the weekends and bag them up)
Cucumber slices
Broccoli (raw)
Grapes
Bananas
Cookies (DH makes)
Fruit cups
Cheese sticks or cubes
Crackers
Tuna pouch- they don't bother with the mayo or relish, they just eat the tuna straight out of the pouch)
Hard-boiled eggs (DS makes his own)
Leftovers (they both have access to a microwave)
Soup/chili

Anytime we have spaghetti or pasta, I freeze the leftovers in single-serve cups for lunches. Neither is crazy about sandwiches, but they will take one if they don't want anything else we have.

 

[cheer25mom]

My DD loves turkey pepperoni and I make wraps with a tortilla, turkey pepperoni slices and cheddar cheese. She gets one slaty item, one sweet item andtwo pieces of fruit to make lunch and snack. She will get a protien based snack after school. She has 2-3 hours of physical activity after school every day fro dance or cheer so she needs that protien boost.
For salty:
cheese its
veggie straws
pertzels
a cheese stick
peanut butte crackers


sweet:
usually the 100 calorie packs of stuff

Protien snack:
cheese
nuts
certian protien bars

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

My DD loves turkey pepperoni and I make wraps with a tortilla, turkey pepperoni slices and cheddar cheese. She gets one slaty item, one sweet item andtwo pieces of fruit to make lunch and snack. She will get a protien based snack after school. She has 2-3 hours of physical activity after school every day fro dance or cheer so she needs that protien boost.
For salty:
cheese its
veggie straws
pertzels
a cheese stick
peanut butte crackers


sweet:
usually the 100 calorie packs of stuff

Protien snack:
cheese
nuts
certian protien bars

Which turkey pepperoni? Does it contain nitrites or nitrates?

I am asking because it is hard to find the nitrite/nitrate free stuff but I have at Whole Foods but not "turkey" so I would like to find this.

 

[aanderson5]

DS(7) also does not like sandwiches (except tuna and peanutbutter). He gets 2 nutrition breaks so I pack him 2 small meals.

For his morning break he gets some combo of a fruit, cheese, 'cracker', drink. He likes cheese strings, babybell, mini boccochini, laughing cow cheese best. For the 'cracker' I will also give pretzels or bread sticks. The fruit is whatever we have, he is not picky as long as it doesn't get squished (ie no bananas), and for his drink he get a yop or fruit and vegi juice.

For his second break he gets a tuna sandwich (peanut free school) or some type of buttered bread, his favorites are raisin bread or a bun. Then he gets some sort of meat (usually turkey or ham rolled up). He gets veggies (his favorites are carrots, cucumber, red peppers and mushrooms) and a small treat. He drinks milk bought from the school.

I sometimes change it up giving him veggies and dip in the morning instead of fruit and then at fruit to his second meal. I also add a granola or breakfast bar in case he is really hungry but he rarely eats it. I will sometimes add in some olive or pickles to his second break if there is room his box (bento style).

 

[minushka72]

Rubbermaid has a new line of containers out called LunchBlox - they are PERFECT for packing kid lunches, and they come with a ice pack that snaps into place with the compartments. It's really cool, and we use ours daily. I usually pack my kids a total of 4 things - a main item with two sides, and a classroom mid-morning snack, which fit perfectly into the Lunchblox.

So, what goes in? We do sandwiches, but not very often because my kids get bored of them. Salads are a must-do at least once a week - lettuce, shredded cheese, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and chopped up ham, turkey, or chicken. I will use leftover chicken/turkey if we have it, but if not, I think it's Oscar Meyer that sells chicken breast strips in the deli section (which I chop up). A little bit of salad dressing goes in one of the small Lunchblox containers.Other alternatives to a sandwich could be a cheese stick wrapped with turkey or ham and lettuce, a bagel with cream cheese, french bread and butter, yogurt and a muffin, tuna, chicken, or turkey salad with crackers on the side or in a lettuce wrap, cereal (purchasing the milk for the cereal at school), or cheese, lunchmeat, and crackers. I tried soup and other hot foods, but I've yet to find a good thermos that doesn't leak, that my kids can open, and that keeps the food hot. My kids are really good, adventurous eaters and are good sports about all of the healthy food I make them eat LOL, but give them lukewarm soup and it's anarchy!!

Sides:
any type of fresh fruit
carrots
cucumbers
grape tomatos
goldfish crackers
cheese-its
granola bars
cheese sticks
popcorn
mini rice cakes
cereal bars
applesauce
fruit cups (especially in the middle of winter here in the midwest!)
GoGurt/yogurt/danimals

VERY occassionally (literally only about once a month or less):
cookies
chips
packaged baked goods

I'll have to look into the Lunch Blox. They sound cool! This is our 3rd year using the Thermos brand Funtainer for my DS' hot lunch. Unfortunately school lunch here is not good and my picky DS will not eat a sandwich either but loves soups, meatballs, mac & cheese, etc so I send him with a "hot" lunch everyday. I pack it at about 7am and it is still plenty warm at 11:15 when he has lunch so that is roughly 4 hours.

 

[scrapquitler]

A few different ideas that I didn't see when I skimmed the prior responses:

banana bread with cream cheese
bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter
cheese/crackers/pepperoni

when my daughter was younger, she used to take a tupperware container with a lid, and fill it with cereal then buy milk at the cafeteria and enjoy a bowl of cereal.

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

This may be a good place to ask- does Epcot- Japan have bento accessories?

I'd like to get some egg and onigiri molds and maybe some pretty food picks.

I've also seen some ketchup cups that are cute... But I don't "need" them as I could continue using Tupperware smidgets.

I've been thinking of ordering online but I'd rather get them there if I can. I remember seeing the cute kiddie chopsticks but I don't think I even looked for bento.