The lunchable deal

[famofsix]

TRUE STORY
My daughter went to a babysitting class today put on by the community and it was 9 am to 3:30 and we had to pack a lunch. So I asked her how her lunch was and she said it was awesome and that everyone wanted her lunch because they all packed LUNCHABLES

I have no problem with lunchables I just thought her comment was funny.

Her lunch was not that healthy since I did pack a crappy lipton iced tea! She had homemade pasta salad, a nectarine, and DRUM ROLL crappy chocolate graham crackers.

 

[tinytink]

Who cares if people are buying 20-30 at a time, it's their dime let them spend it how they want. The question is, "are you just upset that they beat you to Target for the good deal on Lunchables"?

Either way be at peace with the good deal on Lunchable at Target, you have your choice and everybody else has their choice.

 

[azgal81]

I eat lunchables all the time. They are tasty!

 

[twanner]

I don't really want to get into the health debate, but I think it would be cool if Lunchables could come up with some healthier alternatives that would still be appealing to kids. Most of the meals ARE really high in fat and sodium. I bought them for my daughter in the past, but the only one she really likes now is the tortilla chips and salsa, and I personally cannot bring myself to consider that one a "lunch". Maybe we should get together and petition Kraft. Or probably if we wait long enough, some parent of a physically unfit child will start a lawsuit alleging that Lunchables made their kid fat...

 

[feedindy]

Maybe people bought a lot so they could freeze them for later?

I didn't get in on this deal, though I do buy Lunchables regularly. My kids are gluten free and only the chips & dip lunchable qualifies. It is a handy snack, and not completely unhealthy. FWIW, I don't buy the ones with a drink or candy as I try to limit my kids sugar intake.

I keep them on hand for "emergencies." My daughter has to pack her lunch daily as everything at school has gluten in it. There are days that it didn't get packed the night before or she overslept and we just don't have time to pack a real lunch. In goes a lunchable, with fruit and a water-takes all of 5 seconds!

 

[tinytink]

I don't really want to get into the health debate, but I think it would be cool if Lunchables could come up with some healthier alternatives that would still be appealing to kids. Most of the meals ARE really high in fat and sodium. I bought them for my daughter in the past, but the only one she really likes now is the tortilla chips and salsa, and I personally cannot bring myself to consider that one a "lunch". Maybe we should get together and petition Kraft. Or probably if we wait long enough, some parent of a physically unfit child will start a lawsuit alleging that Lunchables made their kid fat...

Sorry, I am in favor of keeping Lunchables around. You too have contributed your hard earned dollars to Kraft when you purchased them for your daughter, even though the fat content is high!

 

[twanner]

Sorry, I am in favor of keeping Lunchables around. You too have contributed your hard earned dollars to Kraft when you purchased them for your daughter, even though the fat content is high!

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't want to shut them down! I was just thinking it would be nice if Kraft could clean them up a bit--nutritionally speaking. Believe me, I have contributed MANY hard earned dollars to Kraft and various other companies for not-so-healthy food. Everything in moderation, I always say.

 

[DawnM]

Holy COW! They CALLED your mom?

Have you READ the nutritional value in kids' lunch meals at school?

I think the basic lunch at school was over 600 calories and over 25 grams of fat and the "nutrition" was non-existent!

A lunchable would be better for them!

Dawn

True story....


My mom was a military mom---and some point, I was tasked to make lunch for my little brother.

i forget what grade he was in. Whatever it was, he really wasn't old enough to be "trusted" with making his own lunches and my mom wanted my help b/c she figured since I was 6 years his senior, I would know what goes in a proper lunch.

Well one day--I think it was a day where a grocery trip was in order. I don't recall exactly why I packed his lunch the way i did. I wasn't trying to be mean or vindictive or anything.

But I packed him a pop-tart for lunch.

That was it.

Just a pop-tart.

the school called my mom.

Needless to say she was a bit embarrassed and when they told her what was in his lunch.

I think I got releived from lunch duty immediately.

While i do not condone lunchables (sodium/fat/lack of nutrients in a box)---I think my brothers teachers would have let it slide as at least it had something better to offer in terms of protein and calcium then my strawberry pop-tart lunch.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

OK I'll admit it I love the hamburgers ones. I buy them for myself once in a while. It stinks that they replaced the soda with juice though. They are not bad for me they are not bad for me they are not bad for me

 

[willoughbyclan]

But I packed him a pop-tart for lunch.

That was it.

Just a pop-tart.

the school called my mom.

Needless to say she was a bit embarrassed and when they told her what was in his lunch.

I think I got releived from lunch duty immediately.

We have gotten them before but not often.

Same here.
They are way too expensive for us. I purchased 16 yesterday. My DDs will each have 4 to snack on as a treat over the next couple of weeks. I plan on taking them in our cooler to the ballpark this wkend and next. That little lunchable is just a tiny blip in my DDs total daily food intake (good and bad). Trust me, at the end of some days my girls have eaten FAR worse.

 

[smfritz03]

I had one for my lunch. I bought the nachos one and really, how's it any different from getting an order of nachos at the ball game?

I'm amazed at how many people on these boards proclaim how "healthy" they eat, and how they eat all these fruits and veggies, yet childhood obesity is at an all time high.

 

[happygirl]

I'm upset I missed out on the sale

 

[Minniemouse07]

Dd is 6yo and I've never even looked at a lunchable...she may not know what they are!

I have two problems w/ them.. first the contents... Dd's lunches generally consist of a fruit spread sandwich on whole grain bread, a fruit cup or fresh fruit, 100% juice- juice box and a healthy snack (no trans fats/preservatives). She doesn't eat lunchmeat, processed cheese, crackers w/ transfats, etc so the contents of the lunchables wouldn't work for her.

Secondly, the packaging. It is a landfill nightmare. They are totally overpackaged and the packaging is unnecessary.

So I don't support them by not purchasing any... actually I don't even know anyone that does get them!

Just my two cents.

 

[smfritz03]

Dd is 6yo and I've never even looked at a lunchable...she may not know what they are!

I have two problems w/ them.. first the contents... Dd's lunches generally consist of a fruit spread sandwich on whole grain bread, a fruit cup or fresh fruit, 100% juice- juice box and a healthy snack (no trans fats/preservatives). She doesn't eat lunchmeat, processed cheese, crackers w/ transfats, etc so the contents of the lunchables wouldn't work for her.

Secondly, the packaging. It is a landfill nightmare. They are totally overpackaged and the packaging is unnecessary.

So I don't support them by not purchasing any... actually I don't even know anyone that does get them!

Just my two cents.

Here's a prime example of finding things wrong w/ what everyone feeds their family. I could easily say, wow thats TOO much fruit for just one meal. Too much fruit is just as bad as too little. There needs to be a vegetable in there as well and something w/ calcium because little kids need calcium for their growing bones, otherwise you are setting them up for serious bone issues later in life, not to mention their teeth now and in adult years.

The fruit spreads you buy in stores also have preservatives. Guess what, majority of bread sold in stores also has preservatives. If not, it wouldnt be good in a matter of a day or two.

Not picking on you, but just showing how someone "could" be picked apart for every little thing.

Edited: what kind of fruit cup??? Those have alot of sugars in them and, alas, preservatives.

 

[summerrluvv]

Dd is 6yo and I've never even looked at a lunchable...she may not know what they are!

I have two problems w/ them.. first the contents... Dd's lunches generally consist of a fruit spread sandwich on whole grain bread, a fruit cup or fresh fruit, 100% juice- juice box and a healthy snack (no trans fats/preservatives). She doesn't eat lunchmeat, processed cheese, crackers w/ transfats, etc so the contents of the lunchables wouldn't work for her.

Secondly, the packaging. It is a landfill nightmare. They are totally overpackaged and the packaging is unnecessary.

So I don't support them by not purchasing any... actually I don't even know anyone that does get them!

Just my two cents.

Woah, sugar overload!

Have you ever looked at the sugar content in 100% Juice and in Fruit Cups? It's pretty high!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I am a proud DISer who has never bought, eaten or served another a lunchable.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Here's a prime example of finding things wrong w/ what everyone feeds their family. I could easily say, wow thats TOO much fruit for just one meal. Too much fruit is just as bad as too little. There needs to be a vegetable in there as well and something w/ calcium because little kids need calcium for their growing bones, otherwise you are setting them up for serious bone issues later in life, not to mention their teeth now and in adult years.

The fruit spreads you buy in stores also have preservatives. Guess what, majority of bread sold in stores also has preservatives. If not, it wouldnt be good in a matter of a day or two.

Not picking on you, but just showing how someone "could" be picked apart for every little thing.

Actually I get the fruit spread at Whole Foods or Trader Joes so it is a healthier version. Yes she eats a lot of fruit at lunch, at dinner she has at least 3-4 servings worth of veggies, her healthy "snack" either at lunch or later in the afternoon can be a cheese stick or a container of organic yogurt. She drinks a lot of milk (organic or hormone free) at home as well at least 3-4 containers of yogurt a week. Juice is for school, milk or water is what she drinks at home.

We were talking about lunch, not other meals so I just shared what she eats at lunch. Her school cafeteria doesn't have a way to cook or heat up food so she doesn't have the veggies that she used to eat at daycare for lunch.

Yes the bread has some preservatives... but I try to omit them where I can... which is a lot of places... and choose healthier alternatives as they are available.

 

[smfritz03]

Actually I get the fruit spread at Whole Foods or Trader Joes so it is a healthier version. Yes she eats a lot of fruit at lunch, at dinner she has at least 3-4 servings worth of veggies, her healthy "snack" either at lunch or later in the afternoon can be a cheese stick or a container of organic yogurt. She drinks a lot of milk (organic or hormone free) at home as well at least 3-4 containers of yogurt a week. Juice is for school, milk or water is what she drinks at home.

We were talking about lunch, not other meals so I just shared what she eats at lunch. Her school cafeteria doesn't have a way to cook or heat up food so she doesn't have the veggies that she used to eat at daycare for lunch.

Yes the bread has some preservatives... but I try to omit them where I can... which is a lot of places... and choose healthier alternatives as they are available.

Just as others have stated about snacks.

Also, USDA shows that just because it's organic doesn't mean it's better for you.

One poster said it just perfect that you have to walk the fine line w/ your kids on healthy and giving them a little of the junk.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Woah, sugar overload!

Have you ever looked at the sugar content in 100% Juice and in Fruit Cups? It's pretty high!

I'm okay w/ some sugar, especially since lunch is about the only time she gets it (other than some ice cream after dinner a few times a week). We limit candy (not banned, just selective) and have almost no cookies or cakes in the house. I would rather the kids have regular sugar than sugar substitutes... especially since we have a family history of allergies to them.

 

[smfritz03]

It's valuable to remember that these products represent one meal in a lifetime of eating. It's much more productive to build long-term healthy eating habits in kids than it is to obsess about one meal.