Packed Lunches for School

Nikkisun

I bought both my boys one of these:

http://www.hardware-ironmongers.com/details.aspx?code=DE481598

my 8yo is a 'chewer' but can't chew this one and so far no leaks at all!

leiela

Ok so i'll admit over the years i've dug myself a hole with my children, our diets where no always the best and i like many other parents fell into to the trap of convienence foods.

About 12 months ago i had a lightbulb moment and realised the quality of my whole family's diet was BAD... REALLY REALLY BAD. Since then i've struggled to bring it into line, me and my husband where easy but convincing kids who'd lived off pizza and burgers all their lives, that fruit and veg was nice was another challange and one im still battling on a daily basis.

Next week i've decided for various reason's to move my kids onto packed lunchs and i don't want to fall into the trap of feeding them alot of highly processed junk just because thats all they'll eat but i also know if i put salad, fruit etc into thier lunch box it will end up straight into the bin and thats not really the plan either.

Im thinking about having a "tasting day" on Thursday or Friday while they are still at home, where i make up loads of different things for them to try.

I find with my kids that they respond well to being given some control so i figure by giving them lots and lots of choices and allowing them to pick which ones they like, they are more likely to eat it when it lands in thier lunch box.

i already know what junk they will eat so i want to make everything on tasting day 100% healthy, im especially interested in ways of getting fruit and veg into them as this is an area i especially struggle with.

Any ideas of cheap and interesting lunch box idea's??

pavlovs_dog

have you looked at the bento thread for inspiration? im not sure how old your kiddiewinks are but perhaps making fruit and such more visually appealing may encourage them to eat it

SunnyGirl

There is a thread on this board somewhere all about packed lunches. I can't do a link but someone will come alog soon who can I'm sure. Mine are all on school/college lunches but when they were younger I used do stuff like: sandwich (usually ham, cheese, tuna as they liked all that, a veg such as sticks of raw peppers, celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots, sweetcorn & salady stuff in the summer, a fruit either whole or ready chopped into a tupperware tub to make a mini fruit salad, a 'treat', usually homemade but sometimes bought, such as a penguin bar, a HM muffin/bun, a slice of HM fruitcake or other cake, a HM museli/cereal bar, a chocolate cornflake cake etc. They would usually take a yoghurt or a tub of yoghurt from a bigger tub at home and a small packet of crisps or some home popped popcorn and a drink of juice. I got a slimline ice pack from Wilkinsons that fitted into the bottom of the lunch box and didn't make it too heavy to carry.

I used to try and jazz it up by doing things such as fruit kebabs on straws, straw kebabs of chopped veg & ham threaded onto it & to make it easier I used to peel oranges/satsumas at home & wrap in cling film. HTH.

Pink.

Hi Leiela,

There's an earlier thread with lots of ideas for packed lunches that should give you some inspiration so I've added your thread to it to keep the suggestions together.

These threads might give you some ideas too:

Lunch for work (merged threads)

How can I find time to make lunchboxes ...

Lunch In A Box -Bento

Pink

moon1970

Hi Everyone, I have taken lots of tips for reducing my weekly shopping bill but I am still struggling with my sons pack lunch. Currently he has the following in his pack lunch:

Shop Bought Juice Carton - 100% Fruit one
Sandwich - home made filling likes Tuna
Salami Stick
Yoghurt
Small Cake
Packet of Crisps (sometimes)

Any ideas also of how to get more fruit into is pack lunch?

He is a good eater and always on the go and always seems to be hungry lol.

Thank you

Penny-Pincher!!

That's quite a big lunch!

Raisins are a good source of fruit and you only need to eat a small amount.

Switch bread to granary and add salad like cucumber and lettuce or grated apple/carrot etc.

Carrot sticks & natural yogurt.

Jellies made with fruit.

HTH

PP
xx

cyclingyorkie

if he's constantly on the go then he needs the carbohydrayte for energy.

I speak as a school dinnerlady of 11 years standing - that is a good packed lunch - you should see some of the carp some kids bring!

possibly swap juice for a smoothie occasionally?

cyclingyorkie

hit wrong button - fruity flapjack possibly?

OrkneyStar

ditch the cake and replace with something healthier such as a banana ?