What do you pack your children for lunch need help!!!

[Katy Belle]

One thing we've noticed about the Thermos is that liquid stays much hotter than solid. Meaning that soup will still be hot, but spaghetti will be warm. I don't pre-heat when sending soup, but do for more solid stuff.

I have food storage issues too Each of my kids has a lunch box that has a space that their thermos fits into, at the top, and is zippered seperately. Then in the bottom insulated part I put one of those hard plastic ice thingys from Wal-Mart, shaped like a sports ball. We've had them for years and they still are great!

Food ideas....
*string cheese
*different breads, hot dog bun, hamburger bun, bagel, pita, tortialla, crackers
*lunch meat rolled up, no bread
*salad, with cheese, meat pieces
*fruit salad
*raisins
*soup is big for my boys---taco soup is the current fav.
*noodles with salt and butter is also a fav.

Good luck! I sure get tired of packing, but its healthier than what they can buy at school!
Katy

 

[Aidensmom]

My son never takes anything hot. If he is taking other than his favorite of a PB&J, juice, a piece of fruit, and a cookie or corn chips....he has an ice pack. I also always pack the night before so the juice bottle actually keeps most things pretty cold until lunch time also. On ice pack days, it is usually because he is taking leftovers. He loves to take leftover pizza, sausage, fried chicken, etc. He takes a Lunchable once a week.

 

[jamimb]

Thanks so much for the great responses. My main concern was keeping things hot and or cold. I bought some ice packs specifically for lunch boxes at the beginning of the yr but they really suck and unthaw completely in about 30 min (need to buy new ones ) I have been putting warm tap water but not boiling water so I will try that from now on. thanks for the great ideas!!!

 

[grlpwrd]

Maybe you can test it. You know, pack a bagged lunch and see how cold or how hot the lunch keeps. That way you can get an idea on how it will be for your kids and then make adjustments.

I have food safety and microwave issues ... At Target they sell a microwaveable thermos. I have seen it and also mentioned on the Budget Board. Many have said it keeps food warm, but I don't personally know.

You really do need a good thermos (stainless steel is what we use) and even a better lunchbox to keep things insulated. My kids also use a bento box : http://www.lunchboxes.com/bento.html or www.laptoplunches.com . They also use an authentic stacing Japanese style bento box with a canister for soup.

How about freezing some of the food to keep it cold? I freeze the bread or sliced bagels when my kids take sandwiches or if it's something without mayo (like a wrap) I just wrap it in foil and freeze. It will thaw in enough time. I tested this personally.

GL!

 

[Mkaz]

We bought our kids each a Stanley thermos. They are a bit pricey, but they are fantastic. I think we paid around $11.00 each @ Target. Everything stays warm. I have opened them after they are home from school, and things are still warm (not hot, but warm). I usually pack chicken nuggets, pizza rolls, left overs, soup etc. in them. They get so tired of sandwiches every day. My son refuses to buy lunch at school, so his thermos is a huge help!

 

[TurboKitty]

My DS is a big fan of 1/2 a blueberry bagel with cream cheese.

DD, on the other hand, doesn't like bread. The closest she gets is something I call "taco bowl" with a tortilla on the side. Taco bowl is basically a bean dip, made from leftover refried beans, grated cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, (olives are optional) and sour cream. I use those little Ziploc tupperware alternative container for this as it's not something that needs to stay warm. She also likes lunch meat and cheese (which I call breadless sandwiches), leftover spaghetti, chicken strips or mac & cheese.

 

[NHdisneylover]

For keeping food cold, the ice packs work great IF the lunch box is a well insulated one. Make sure their's are. Our are from LLBEAN. The kids are now homeschooled but we often pack lunches for field trips. Ice packs will still be totally solid and contents COLD 6 hours after leaving hte house even in summer. Things my kids liked when in school:

Small container of Peanut butter and apple slices to dip in it

Peanut butter and brown suagr sandwhiches (best on raisin bread)

Boiled egg with a little packet of salt

wraps

crackers and cheese

"kabobs" small cubes of meet and cheese on toothpicks

bagel with cream cheese

tuna salad stuffed tomatoes


Sides: chips, teddy grahams. chips and salsa, yogurt, whole fruit, dry cereal, popcorn, trail mix, raisins, carrots, celery, muffins, etc.