Packed Lunches for School

jackieglasgow

Dip the apples in some water with lemon in to stop them going brown, or make a little sugar syrup like you would for a fruit salad. Could you let him choose a speacil little ox to have them from so that even though they don't look the same, he still accepts them? Same for the cheese. Those cheese strings aren't the best thing in the world, whatabout little cubes of cheese and maybe if he likes them some grapes or raisins with them. I don't know what a fridge raider is I am afriad. My DS1 has Aspergers' and has only now, after 6 years at school, started eating anything other than cheese sandwiches!

LJM

ive cut apple and put it in the lock and lock boxes and its stayed fresh without going brown, ive given my girls cheese and biccies before and my youngest is picky with her food so she likes a variety of different bits such as cucumber,cheese cubes,cherry toms, peppers she loves all this plus i also if they have crisps dont buy big bags i will buy a tub of pringles and pop a few each day in lock and locks again. also what are fridge raiders not heard of these

Dainty1976

My son is autistic too and a fussy eater into the bargain. I tend to alternate foods using things like wildlife choobs $1 for 6 in Tesco (having to use dollar sign as pound sign on keyboard is broken). He flips out when he has crisps so I give him popcorn instead. Tesco do a 6 pack of a brand called Sweets (I think thats what its called) popcorn for 48p and a healthier, less additive laiden alternative. How about those little raisin boxes, there are other brand than sunmaid, plus after you buy the first pack, then just buy a big bag and refill the little boxes yourself - way cheaper and he'd never know the difference! I usually also grab a handful of grapes and pop into a bag for him. Instead of those fridge raiders, which are so costly, I'd just buy a packet of pre-cooked cocktail sausages, same thing at the end of the day or take a slice of ham or two or three and roll it into a tube instead, pop it in a bag, voila!. and instead of a cake I usually give him a rice crispies cereal bar, you can get them in chocolate or with yoghurt on top and are usually 99p for a pack of 6 - also in....you guessed it, Tesco!

Anyways, hope that helps!

babyshoes

It is the pre-cut apple (and you have already had the lemon juice tip for those) and the fridge raiders that are costing you the most in that lot. Fridge raiders, for those who don't know, are bite sized bits of cooked, seasoned meat (chicken or pork, I believe) in a small packet which is mostly air! A colleague had some of the pork ones recently, and even on a 2for1 deal they were pricy for the amount you get. If you let us know which ones he likes best, we can probably help you figure out how to replicate it. The mini-sausages/rolled ham idea is good, if he will accept them. Perhaps if he helps you cook/roll them he will be willing to eat them?

Oh, and as for rice crispies cereal bars, why not just make rice crispy treats? Sooooo easy and simple - and you know what has gone into it! All you need is marshmallows, a small blob of butter/marg and rice crispies. Chocolate etc is optional. Melt your mallows and butter, then stir in rice crispies until it won't coat any more, then pour into a greased baking tin and smooth down with a greased spatula. Leave to set and cut into bars. Voila!

If substituting the things he eats will be difficult for him to accept, maybe try introducing the new things (one at a time) at a weekend or in school holiday time. The easiest I should think to start with will be apple. If, as someone suggested, you get a special container for the apple, and show him you are emptying the packet into it the first day, then keep the packet for show the next day if necessary, you can start to do it when he isn't watching.

Also, with things like cheese, if you give it a fanciful name will he eat it? Maybe say something like 'instead of cheese strings, today you are getting cheese logs, because strings are for little boys, a big boy like you needs something like these logs'. Be sure to use a mild cheese! Cheddar can taste quite sharp to tastebuds which are used to processed cheese...

mumoftwo

How about a fun Bento box? For ideas, see on this MSE thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/483525

valk_scot

lolly_896 wrote: »

At the moment he is taking sandwich/cob, cheese string, hm cake/biscuit, fridge raiders, apple and juice!
x

Does he actually eat all of it? It seems quite a lot for a five year old. My nine year old, very tall athletic girl who runs everywhere and does a lot of sport gets two filled rolls, apple, bag of crisps, carton of orange juice and a biscuit or muesli bar and that's to cover her morning snack as well as lunch. She quite often doesn't eat the second roll till she's walking home so I know she's getting enough. So my first thought is, why not give him either the cheese string OR the Fridge Raider? Or dump both and give him two sandwiches/cobs instead, with two different fillings?

Or if he wants the variety then as has been suggested go for HM alternatives instead. Buy some very small klip-seal boxes for the apple, cheese and meat selection. (They sell these in Tesco.) If he has problems with you changing things in his routine it's worth getting him used to the boxes, as then he will be more likely to accept variety in the contents, no? Or you could put stickers on the lids if he likes bright things, and to identify the contents. All kids do like their food to look attractive and bright, like in the adverts. There's no attraction in a series of squashed up plastic bags. But little matching tubs he can arrange in a line to eat from might appeal.


Apples slices dipped in water and lemon juice shouldn't go brown if they're also kept in an air tight box, or try a little sugar syrup with lemon juice, as if you were making a fruit salad. If he would actually eat HM fruit salad that would be good as well and you don't need to add much juice. Or cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, pineapple etc etc. These one portion bags are a silly price for what's in them and the quality and variety is poor.

Diced cheese and meats are easy enough and you can use different types if he's okay with them. But it's a lot of fat and protein in one meal if he's also getting a sandwich. If he likes the tubs you could try vegetable pieces, if he likes these, or a small amount of other snacks. My kids like dry cereal pieces or air popped popcorn for example.

kit77

I know there has been lots of threads on this topic and I have spent the last few days searching but I still cant get any ideas on things for my kids pack lunches. (I have noticed a few links don't seem to work)

DD (9) and DS (6) take pack lunches most days. Usually cheese or ham sandwiches or crackers and cheese.

I have noticed DS has been coming home saying he is starving so I am thinking he needs more food at lunch but he is getting bored with the usual.

My kids are fairly fussy so this makes it harder. I don't mind taking the time to make things for them but any time I ask them for suggestions or what their friends have they say "you know the usual"

Does any one have any suggestions?

Fruball

Pop a chicken drumstick in there or some cooked chopped chicken. Protein makes you feel fuller

Also, you could try giving him a bigger breakfast and see if that helps

Lots of kids are hungry when they get back from school, mine included so we either eat early then they have cereal before bed, or a healthy snack when they get home, then dinner.

When we were kids we always had tea at about 4.30-5 and then cereal before bed

HTH

kit77

Thanks Frugal

Never thought of chicken drumsticks. I make them for the kids for their dinner in a kid of sticky sauce (brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and garlic) So that is def an option.

DS is like me in the morning he just doesn't want to eat although I don't let him leave without something it usually isn't much.

zippychick

Hi Kit:j

What links were broken? Or where did you see them?

There are quite a few inspirational threads for you

packed lunches for school (i'll merge this later)

Cold packed lunches

thrifty hot lunches

healthy snacks for kids

easy way to kids 5 a day

Hopefully they are a good starter

Here are loads of "adult" lunch links too

Cold packed lunches

Sandwich fillings

Exciting sandwich fillings on a budget

Home made sandwich spreads

Packed lunches

Wanting help with packed lunches

Lunch for work

Cheap and practical low carb lunch for work

What's in your lunch box today?

food flasks

microwave recipes

no broken links here - or shouldn't be! :eek::o

Zip