What do you pack for kids school lunches??

RunConquerCelebrate

I need help here, when my daughter who is currently in first grade, started school I would pack her lunch I would add yogurt, string cheese some crackers and a sandwich pb & j or ham. Other times I would give her a fruit salad but would always add yogurt and string cheese and some type of crackers. Maybe some fruit snacks etc.

But there was a lot of times that her lunch would come back she would barely touch her sandwich and maybe would eat some of the snacks. I bought a thermos so I started making her mac n cheese or spaghetti to change things up. But she would barely touch it.

I started adding money to her school account so he could have some of the school lunches the ones that I thought were ok for her to have. She seems to eat the school lunches ok. But I much rather pack her lunch so that I know what she is eating for sure. She attends a charter school and it is small compared to regular public school and I have seen the school lunches and they look good.

I have run out of ideas on what to pack her, everything that I see online are fancy lunches that moms that have way too much time put together or a chef. Pinteres is very overwhelming for ideas.

So I am wondering what do you pack for your kids school lunches that is healthy, you know they eat and does not take too long to put together.

Thanks

SonicDeathMonkey80

I've been packing my kiddo's lunch since 3k (3rd grade now). He used to do nothing but PB&J, but all the sudden hated jelly. Try asking what she would like. Take her to the grocery store, let her pick out her own sandwich bread, jellies, PBs, snacks, juice boxes/milks, etc

Today's lunch:
Sara Lee 90 cal bread (the kind I eat too) with PB and chocolate chips
Fruit leather
Angry Birds graham crackers
String cheese

I also make Nutella and Fluff (blowtorch the fluff to make it s'more-ish), PB and sprinkles/M&Ms/marshmallows, Thermos with ramen noodles, PB roll-up with a Flat Out, yada yada.

I let him pick out his own snacks and hope he picks stuff I won't graze on. Get your daughter involved in the process!

micheleb15

Today's lunch:
Sara Lee 90 cal bread (the kind I eat too) with PB and chocolate chips
Fruit leather
Angry Birds graham crackers
String cheese

I also make Nutella and Fluff (blowtorch the fluff to make it s'more-ish), PB and sprinkles/M&Ms/marshmallows

I'm 30 and want all of this.

RunConquerCelebrate

I've been packing my kiddo's lunch since 3k (3rd grade now). He used to do nothing but PB&J, but all the sudden hated jelly. Try asking what she would like. Take her to the grocery store, let her pick out her own sandwich bread, jellies, PBs, snacks, juice boxes/milks, etc

Today's lunch:
Sara Lee 90 cal bread (the kind I eat too) with PB and chocolate chips
Fruit leather
Angry Birds graham crackers
String cheese

I also make Nutella and Fluff (blowtorch the fluff to make it s'more-ish), PB and sprinkles/M&Ms/marshmallows, Thermos with ramen noodles, PB roll-up with a Flat Out, yada yada.

I let him pick out his own snacks and hope he picks stuff I won't graze on. Get your daughter involved in the process!

These are great ideas the PB and chocolate chips sounds yummy. I have taken her with me to the store and she has picked her snacks such but I am going to have her pick out her own bread and spreads etc as well. We have not tried nutella I need to give it a try she may like it. Instead of spaghetti I will try the Thermos with ramen noodles.

Thanks for the input really appreciate it, this is her last week of school but I will have her go with me to the store before she goes back after the holiday.

Stage14

Another vote for asking her and getting her involved in the choices.

I will also say that my SIL was having similar issues and it turned out that it was all about temperature rather than the taste of the food. My nephew didn't care for his sandwich to be cold from the cold pack to keep yogurt and the like. She got an insulated sandwich bag thingy and life has been fine ever since. Not saying that is your daughter's issue per se, but it may be something outside of just the type of food. Do her friends pack lunch or eat school lunch?

AnninStPaul

My kids also go to a small school, where wonderful women actually make the food on site. They eat a hot lunch or entree salad virtually every day.

When I do pack a lunch (primarily for weekend activities), it is usually a meat and cheese sandwich, fruit, cookie, and milk/water. Sometimes a yogurt or cheese stick.

They pack it themselves about half of the time.

Francl27

Even when I ask them, they typically don't eat much. I try and pack 3 things (the containers I use have 3 partitions). Typically it's a sandwich (ham sandwich or PB&J) or chicken nuggets (they don't care it's cold), some fruit, then either a couple crackers/grahams or a yogurt tube (tried mini babybels and string cheese for a while but they wouldn't touch it). Sometimes they get bagel with cream cheese or a crepe, or even a nutella waffle sandwich with breakfast sausage... depends on what we have in the house really.

But they're horribly picky so it sucks. Oh yeah I pack a milk box too.

I've seen other lunches that some moms pack that look amazing and that my kids wouldn't even take a bite of... lol. They're 5 and in Kindergarten.

Carnivor0us

Look into bento boxes. Making it pretty can entice kids to eat.

RunConquerCelebrate

Another vote for asking her and getting her involved in the choices.

I will also say that my SIL was having similar issues and it turned out that it was all about temperature rather than the taste of the food. My nephew didn't care for his sandwich to be cold from the cold pack to keep yogurt and the like. She got an insulated sandwich bag thingy and life has been fine ever since. Not saying that is your daughter's issue per se, but it may be something outside of just the type of food. Do her friends pack lunch or eat school lunch?

Some of her friends pack lunch and some eat at school. I must say the other day I went there for lunch to spend time with her during lunch and I noticed that her lunch was a bit more elaborate compared to other lunches so I thought maybe I was going a bit overboard.

RunConquerCelebrate

My kids also go to a small school, where wonderful women actually make the food on site. They eat a hot lunch or entree salad virtually every day.

When I do pack a lunch (primarily for weekend activities), it is usually a meat and cheese sandwich, fruit, cookie, and milk/water. Sometimes a yogurt or cheese stick.

They pack it themselves about half of the time.

yes our school the food is prepared there as well it is a small school and I have met the man who prepares the food really nice man.

I am going to get her involved in packing her own lunch maybe she will eat it that way

RunConquerCelebrate

Even when I ask them, they typically don't eat much. I try and pack 3 things (the containers I use have 3 partitions). Typically it's a sandwich (ham sandwich or PB&J) or chicken nuggets (they don't care it's cold), some fruit, then either a couple crackers/grahams or a yogurt tube (tried mini babybels and string cheese for a while but they wouldn't touch it). Sometimes they get bagel with cream cheese or a crepe, or even a nutella waffle sandwich with breakfast sausage... depends on what we have in the house really.

But they're horribly picky so it sucks. Oh yeah I pack a milk box too.

I've seen other lunches that some moms pack that look amazing and that my kids wouldn't even take a bite of... lol. They're 5 and in Kindergarten.

yeah it is not easy, I was there for lunch once I had given her spaghetti in a thermo, with yogurt, crackers and juice. She was not eating much but when I looked around to some of the lunches her was pretty healthy compared to others so I wondered if she was just embarrassed to eat it. That day I saw the school lunches for the first time and I asked her is he wanted to try them they look pretty good. that day the kids had brocoli as a side.

msrootitooti

I rotate between a cheese sandwich, lunchable, crackers with cheese and pepperoni, and then just this week he asked for salad. And then I pack a piece of fruit, some chips, and a cookie.

I do try to ask him what he would like but he is less creative than I am. PB&J is out for us because he has a peanut allergy.

RunConquerCelebrate

Look into bento boxes. Making it pretty can entice kids to eat.

I have looked into bento but I think the prep is a lot of work and takes a lot of time, I like to prepare her lunch in the morning since I like to ask her what she wants to take. That is mainly everything you see on pinterest.

burlingtongrl

I sometimes cut up a couple types of cheeses and some ham and send it with triscuits or wheat thins. Then I would put in some orange slices, grapes, apricots, or strawberries (if I sent a whole orange, apple, or pear it would usually come back home in their lunch bags.) You can do this the night before if you like, if your mornings are a little rushed. Oh, in winter, soup was always a big hit.
Good luck.

tattedlady75

I have the same problem with my son too. I figured out what the problem was, they eat lunch at 10:30 am and school starts at 730. He just wasnt hungry and it was usually on the days he would eat a big breakfast. So i just make sure to pack something he will at least snack on, even if he doesn't eat his sandwich or main meal. Have you tried asking her, there could be something she doesnt like, also have her help pack the lunch that way she can have input into what she would like to eat that day. Let her pick something different at the store each week to try new.

shells1234

I have the same problem but it is more of my son doesn't have the time to eat his lunch or is talking with friends so doesn't concentrate on lunch. I do cut up apples with peanut butter sometimes caramel for a treat. Mostly a ham sandwich or pb&j. I through in some yogurt or a gogurt sometimes. With the yogurt I put a bag of crunches which is just granola.

Linli_Anne

My daughter's lunches tend to come back a lot - but it is because she is too busy socializing/chatting/playing that she runs out of time to eat.

I have found that if I take the extra minute to cut her sandwich with a cookie cutter it will get eaten 9/10 times. Kids are very judgy by appearance of foods.

If you change it up even once a week, chances are she will be more likely to eat the food the next time, even if it isn't cut the same way, because she knows it tastes good.

serenalesley

My son's lunch today was a breaded chicken burger in a bun with lettuce and mayo, served with a side of a raw, sliced bell pepper, a handful of carrot sticks and a houmous dip, and a bottle of water. He also had a pot of peanuts and a pork pie, because he was out at a garden centre re-potting trees in the cold so I though he could use the extra calories.

Jennloella

my kids like trail mix (we make it) and I use a thermos to do smoothies for my 8 year old. they also like cut up fruit, veggies with something to dip them in, and dried fruit. I've noticed sandwiches go over better if theres variety to them. luckily my kids are also a fan of leftovers, theyll gladly take last nights stir fry to school.

DawnieB1977

My son is 4.5 and in reception class. He either has a ham or a tuna mayo sandwich, and a yogurt. He doesn't always finish the sandwich. They get given a piece of fruit at break time in the morning. Before he started school my son would hardly eat. Getting him to eat half a sandwich was a challenge!

There's no point on making fancy lunches if your child won't eat it. I'd happily make him quinoa, couscous etc, but he'd just leave it.

RunConquerCelebrate

I sometimes cut up a couple types of cheeses and some ham and send it with triscuits or wheat thins. Then I would put in some orange slices, grapes, apricots, or strawberries (if I sent a whole orange, apple, or pear it would usually come back home in their lunch bags.) You can do this the night before if you like, if your mornings are a little rushed. Oh, in winter, soup was always a big hit.
Good luck.

Thank you I like the idea of the cheeses, she does like wheat things I have sent those with her string cheese and those have worked. I am going to try some soups.

RunConquerCelebrate

I have the same problem with my son too. I figured out what the problem was, they eat lunch at 10:30 am and school starts at 730. He just wasnt hungry and it was usually on the days he would eat a big breakfast. So i just make sure to pack something he will at least snack on, even if he doesn't eat his sandwich or main meal. Have you tried asking her, there could be something she doesnt like, also have her help pack the lunch that way she can have input into what she would like to eat that day. Let her pick something different at the store each week to try new.

Yeah the breakfast thing could also be an issue I make sure she always has breakfast before leaving the house. I will make sure to get her more involved

AusAshMommy

My kids 8 almost 9 & 10 pack their own lunches every night

My 8 almost 9yr old packs a PB&J sandwich, some kind of fruit cup or fruit, and chips/crackers w/a juice box - more often than not the fruit comes home with the crackers/chips and sandwich being eaten

My 10 yr old packs himself a ham sandwich w/mustard, the same fruit cups with chips/crackers his sister gets w/a juice box - and like his sister more often than not the fruit comes home

Lately though everything is getting eaten - guessing they are eating it at their after-school program as a snack as opposed to the one they are offered.

I am voting w/the keeping things simple.

RunConquerCelebrate

My son's lunch today was a breaded chicken burger in a bun with lettuce and mayo, served with a side of a raw, sliced bell pepper, a handful of carrot sticks and a houmous dip, and a bottle of water. He also had a pot of peanuts and a pork pie, because he was out at a garden centre re-potting trees in the cold so I though he could use the extra calories.

Man I want your sons lunch LOL sounds delicious

waltcote

Make em lunch!! How are they gonna learn!? I say let them steal lunch money for themselves!! :huh:

lilred806

I love looking at the lunches made by the 100 days of Real Food mom. She has neat ideas to make healthy yummy treats and ways to make them more fun. She also blogs about the difficulties of getting kids to eat. My kids are 5 and 2 so I don't have to pack lunches for another couple of years. I have friends who have found her site helpful. She posts her kids lunches daily I believe.

jfauci

My kids never used to eat what I sent.....until they started helping me with the preparation. My son, who is 10 now, eats the same 2 lunches since 1st grade. He has yogurt, fruit, crackers and 1 lorna doone cookie or 3 slices of chicken breast (rolled up), fruit, crackers and a lorna doone cookie.

My 12 year old is a little more flexible, but pretty much eats the same thing every day. Yogurt, crackers, a special K bar and those 100-calorie snack packs. Sometimes, she substitutes chicken breast instead of yogurt.

My son will buy school lunch only when they have "breakfast for lunch" - which is french toast sticks, turkey sausage and fruit.

fat2strongbeth

My son's lunches are always the same. Either turkey or pb&j sandwich, fresh fruit or applesauce, pretzels, and water. He also brings a snack to school which is always juice, goldfish or graham crackers, and fresh or dried fruit. He buys the school lunch 1-2 days per week.

nainai0585

My son HATES sandwiches, even at home. He also ha ADHD and his medication causes appetite suppression, so he barely touches anything in his lunch. He is also underweight IMO too (50 lbs at 8 yrs old and 4'2") though his doctor doesn't seem concerned. This is what I have needed to do:
- Every school day I pack Ensure. Different flavours each day and ones that have added calories and fibre. S has been told that as long as he drinks his Ensure, he does not have to eat anything else in his lunch, which is usually the case anyway.
- 2 healthy snacks are packed, usually fruit, fruit cups (water only, no syrup), kolbassa. S will not eat brick cheese, string cheese, yoghurt (either frozen in the tubes or in the cups), etc. He'll eat it at home, but won't touch it in his lunch.
- 2 treats, such as school snacks, cookies, chips, etc.
- 1 bottle of water.
I forgot to add that my son's school is completely nut free, so the sandwich I KNOW he'd eat in a heart beat (Nutella and white bread) he can't have.
That's it. 9/10 the only thing he touches is his Ensure. Sometimes a school snack is eaten, but that is very rare. The past two weeks he hasn't touched anything in his lunch, so when he gets home, he must drink his Ensure - usually after school snacks is whatever he hadn't eaten at lunch time, but the Ensure is a lot more important IMO.

There is no cafeteria and he doesn't eat the hot school lunches the School puts on once a month, so I don't even bother buying them anymore and he says he doesn't care about them either.

JilloftheDead

My oldest is just in pre-k, but we pack his lunch together. He has a thermos bottle for water, a choice of whatever fruit (he generally picks blueberries, bananas or clementines), a sandwich (ham, cheese mustard, tomato and lettuce being his favourite) and a "treat" whether it be a cheese string, a fruit snack, yogurt or some cookies.. it's up to him. Some days he eats everything, some days he hardly touches it.. his excuse is that he was too busy (playing/socializing) to eat and ran out of time.

Lizzy622

My daughter didn't like sandwiches too much. She usually brought soup in a thermos with a few crackers and a piece of fruit. Let your daughter help you pack the lunch. My son prefers to buy but I would have trouble trying to pack enough lunch for him. He is 5'10" and 188lbs of pure athlete (17 years old).