What do you pack in your lunch?

[golfgal]

DS17 will be working at the local amusement park this summer. He will most likely need to pack food for 2 meals/day. They do have a cafeteria but it is mostly hamburger type food and he doesn't need to eat that all summer long. I am looking for a list of ideas so he doesn't get stuck packing peanut butter and jelly every day . He doesn't have any dietary restrictions and he is a teen boy that will eat pretty much everything. They have fridge space if needed but we also have some smaller coolers that he can take.

 

[MIGrandma]

DH is primarily a farmer, so for a few weeks in the spring (planting season) and a few weeks in the fall (harvest season) I pack a lunch for him to take in the tractor/combine. He doesn't want anything that has to be eaten with a spoon or fork so that pretty much limits it to sandwiches. I make them with wheat bread, mustard (he hates mayo) and sometimes a little horseradish sauce. Then I put on either turkey, ham or roast beef. Add leaf lettuce, cheese slices, pickles or mild pepper rings.

Sometimes I make hot sandwiches like sloppy joes on buns, breaded chicken patties, chili dogs, etc. but those might be kind of hard if you're not eating the lunch right away.

Sometimes I make homemade sub sandwiches with sliced deli meat, lettuce, tomato, green peppers, onions, mild pepper rings, black olives, mustard and a dash of vinegar.

Then I add other things to his lunches like baby carrots, homemade chocolate chip cookies, apples, chips, etc. I buy boxes of Little Debbie cakes/snacks and put those in sometimes. And candy bars, granola bars, etc.

 

[minniebeth]

My DS15 packs his lunch almost every day for school and for summer classes, etc. He loves all kinds of things and variety, so these are some of the things he likes:

Sub sandwiches with different kinds of cold cuts to keep it varied
Yes, PBJ (he makes his own at school since his sister is allergic to peanut butter)
Bagels with cream cheese
Wraps with hummus and lettuce, feta, turkey or other cold cuts
Falafels with pita and fixings to go with it
Chicken strips (Tyson has really good ones) baked in the oven, then cooled and wrapped in foil
Hot Dogs
Leftover pizza
Bean and cheese burritos
Soft Flour tacos
Tortilla Chips/salsa/queso
Hummus/pita chips
Pasta salad (I cook cork screw pasta, add Italian salad dressing, pepperoni, cheese, veggies)
Salads with grilled chicken, cheese, etc.
Strombolis I make, cut up
My Sam's club has pepperoni rolls, bread with pepperoni and cheese wrapped up in the roll, they are really good
Grilled chicken breast, side salads (like potato, coleslaw)
Hard boiled eggs
Cheese and crackers
fruit, veggies/dip


Does he have access to a microwave? If so, any kind of Lean Cuisine/Stouffer's froz. meal is great with some fresh fruit, veggies, etc.
Trader Joe's has these great Noodle Boxes that are good~
Any leftovers from dinner

These are some of the things DS likes, hope that gives you some ideas to brainstorm others off of.

Hope your DS enjoys his summer job, sounds fun!

 

[golfgal]

I am not sure if he has access to a microwave but my guess is yes. He starts work on Saturday so I will have him look into that. That is a great list minniebeth.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am a huge fan of Purdue perfect portions Italian seasoned chicken breast, but he could probably do the same by putting chicken in ziplock bags and freezing them. When it's time to eat I simply defrost in a pot of warm water, boil in a frying pan until the water evaporates then fry it a bit in it's own juices.

Put it into a sandwich with light ranch and some lettuce and I am golden.

The chicken is also good sliced up with a bag of nachos and salsa.

Another way is sliced up and in a salad with a hard boiled egg if I want more protein.


Also, he could boil/fry up some Jennie O Turkey burgers. I eat them just like the perfect portions sandwich but they are much, much cheaper (Walmart carries them in boxes). They are yummy room temp or chilled.

I eat one at a time but my DH tends to eat 2.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

The one thing I pack EVERY day is almonds! Yum.

 

[scottishduffy]

I try my best to do some bulk cooking and then carry that stuff in my lunch. Some stuff that makes regular appearances:

I make soup in bulk and will usually carry either split pea, lentil, or butternut squash.

Pitas and Hummus

Fruit

Carrots, Grape Tomatoes, Sliced bell pepper (with ranch dressing)

cheese cubes

Polenta squares

Crab cakes

Chicken Chimichangas

Mini Meatloaf (baked in muffin tins)

Curry Mustard Chicken and yellow rice

Baked Ziti with turkey sausage

After having fajitas for dinner I will put leftover fajita mix into rice and bring to lunch.

Plantain chips, Veggies chips (i know... it is lying to myself, they are still chips), Pretzel sticks

Tuna and Crackers

Chicken ceaser salad or chicken with spinach, walnuts and dried cranberries (dressing always in a small container on side)

 

[pezheadmeg]

I'm the queen brown bagger. I've even written letters to editors when they said brown bagging won't save you that much money. For me x-mas season is usually about packing multiple meals in a cooler for the day.

Some of my favorites:

• Totally second the Tyson's and Purdue frozen chicken, I always have a bag in the freezer, it's a stand by for lunches and dinners
• If you do fruit, same idea wash it and portion it right when you get it home. Makes it so easy to grab and go.
• STRING CHEESE, STRING CHEESE, STRING CHEESE. It's preportioned and pre-wrapped.
• Sliced veggies, peppers once they're sliced can keep for sevral days.
• I also package out crackers or pretzles. Just easier than doing the 100 calorie packs.
• Pasta salads, I make a box or a half of box on Sunday if I'm on the kick. Then I toss whatever leftover protein I have from the night before.

I really think it's about figuring out what works the easiest. Everyone has different lunch preferences. Just as long as you do prep work it's so much easier.