I have two kiddoes that go to school every day. When the school lunch menu comes out each month, I let them write their intials by one meal a week that they will purchase. That’s a special day for both of us. It’s a relief not to have to pack a lunch.
I’ve been watching closely what comes back home in the lunch box and my ideas of a good school lunch have changed. They don’t have time to eat a lot of food and I’ve learned to pack half of what I think. My rule of thumb is one protein source; one fruit or veggie; and a carb for energy.
We get stuck in the sandwich rut so I was proud of myself the day I made this:
I used little silicone muffin cups to separate the little things. I was shocked to see the pepperonies come home–I thought I was giving them a treat. They do the best with a half a sandwhich some grapes or berries and a whole grain cookie.
What typically goes in your child’s lunch box?
I like the idea of using silicone muffin cups!
I purchased these square lunch containers that have a separate place in the middle with its own lid for sauces. My kids love taking quesadillas with salsa in it. Sometimes I use it for veggies and dip. They get the sandwich burn out too, so I try to mix it up. Its usually a protein, fruit/veggie and yogurt or cheese. I will say, working at a preschool most kids throw away half of what their parents send in. Sometimes they barley touch the sandwich or take one bite of a banana and toss it. If its a lunchable they eat the cracker and cookie or candy that’s in it and toss the cheese, meat and fruit cup. My kids at one point were bringing back half their lunch so now I send less and am prepared for them wanting a snack as soon as they get home.
They don’t give my kids enough time to eat at school either. I’ve tried 3 different things to help with this: 1-less food 2- verbally telling them to eat carrots (or whatever) first 3- telling them to eat leftover lunch as a “snack” when they get home and tell me that they’re hungry.
For my younger two who do not have access to a microwave at school I send mini sausages & crackers, egg salad or tuna sandwiches. Flavoured tunas with my own crackers, bagels with cream cheese, & wraps with ham & cheese. I always base their lunches on sale items & don’t use sandwhich meat very often. For my older two who are in junior high they have a microwave in their classroom. They also get hot lunch once a week. I take leftovers from
dinner & make up lunches in Chinese food containers. Usually I have enough leftovers for one or two lunches but not enough for another meal for our whole family. These lunches then go in the freezer & the boys just grab one in the morning. Theses would be spaghetti & meat sauce, chicken with potatoes & veggies, stirfry, homemade soups & stews. Hope that helps!
With only twenty minutes to eat at school, and most of that spent socailizing I pack my kids a small lunch as well. I don’t like to buy the little packs of pudding or jello, so if I want to send my kids a treat I mix up a family sized box of jello powder, pour into reusuable containers and stack in the fridge. I like to add fruit to the jello before it sets to help work some fruit into their treat. Easy to grab for the next week and there’s much less plastic ending up in the trash!
I also find having my kids input on what goes into the lunch helps them actually eat it, and less food is wasted.
I make 5 school lunches a day, so I get a lot of practice! My kids like routine, as in predictable with no surprises, so I pretty much stick to the same thing. My 15 yr old gets a whole pb sandwich on wheat, but all the younger kids (13, 9, 8 & 6) take half sandwiches. They usually get Pb & jelly on whole wheat, and occasionally it’s turkey & lowfat cheese on a whole wheat wrap. They really love wrap sandwiches! If they take a wrap I cut them in half and they take a half. They always take a fruit, a dairy (usually a lowfat string cheese or yogurt), and then one “snack” item, which is usually something homemade, like a granola bar, muffin, quick bread, etc. I have two that really love hummus, so their “snack” item is frequently carrots or celery and hummus. Strangely, they also LOVE and ask for Broccoli salad – you know, the one made with sunflower seeds, red onion, bacon, etc. They take water in a thermos to drink.