KIDS LUNCHES

[Sara Bradford]

It's that time of year again. Always an exciting day for kids. Always an exciting day to make kid lunches - until about day 5 when you've run out of creative, interesting, nutritious, nut-free ideas that will keep your kids happy for the entire year.
I am looking for some new ideas and will be happy to post some of my own. Any creative foodies out there??

[Beth Friesen]

I found that sometimes my kids were complaining about their lunches just for the sake of complaining! About a year ago I insituted a new policy. They pack their own lunches! They have guidelines that they must adhere to, but overall, they are more satisfied and the complaining has gone way down! They love to pack yogurt, cheese, fruit, etc. I think they feel good about making their own good food choices. And yes, I always check the lunch before they go out the door! :)

[Erica]

I've been worrying about this all week and I doubt that I will be a great source of info, but I have been doing a fair bit of investigation into lunches. I've been experimenting at home for my 4 year old who will be going to JK soon. So far cold whole grain pasta is a hit, as well as orange and cranberry pitas stuffed with tuna. I have been trying to find containers that are safe plastic ones or better yet stainless steel, but I haven't had any luck. The nut free environment is the real challenge! Again I am new to this whole thing, so I'm worried that my son won't eat anything that I packed!

[Daniel Bernardo]

Erica,

You can probably find stainless steel containers at an Indian/Pakistan-type grocery store.

[Cindy Kelly]

I've got a contact for these great little S.S. lunches boxes with xtra contaniers that fit inside. I've ordered one and can get you one as well if you like it.

[Ronda L Bartley]

Erica,
I posted some information about some really great containers on the Healthy Kids Lunch group you started. The two women who designed them have a great website with a ton of information on safe lunch boxes, the environment, cutting down on waste, a healthy lunch cookbook and a picture gallery with lots of lunch ideas. I think they also have a book for vegans. The website is www.laptoplunches.com.

Ronda

[Cindy Kelly]

I packed cold edamame beans today (that I boiled and salted last night). They were a real hit! We are a nut free school as well, and I don't like to rely on dairy, so it's always a struggle to think of good protein to pack without getting into meat. Emma loves veggies with hummus, pita with black bean dip, egg salad, pasta salads, assorted veggie wraps, soups etc. I often bake muffins with tahini or seeds in them as well. I remember seeing a recipe for pizza muffins somewhere that looked quite nutritious. I'll post it if I remember.

I think we should get a group going for this. There are a couple similar ones already if you want to check around for some recipes.

[Erica]

I've been thinking about getting our son to help make his lunch and pick out some foods that he likes. I've done it a bit in the past (my secret attempt at trying to grow our son into a chef) and it was pretty successful. Those beans sound good.

[Erica]

So, I packed my son's lunch. I put in cold ww macaroni with a little sunflower oil and sea salt. I baked some banana bread, put some grapes, carrots and cherry tomatoes...hungarian salami with a pickle and a fruit bar...and then some org.mango/orange juice. Too much? Probably...we'll see if he eats any of it. I'm so new at this...
Cindy-I'd love to know more about those containers...I found some lightweight glass ones, but I still think that they're too bulky. I opted for plastic wrap for some of the stuff...hoping that he can manage to open the stuff. Thanks too Daniel. I'd have to travel a bit of distance to find an Indian/Pakistan store. I appreciate it though...I'll keep looking. I'm not interested in breaking the bank on these.

[Amy Mahon & Garrett Head]

Here's an idea. My boys love french toast in their lunch. I make it with ultra healthy sprouted grain bread with organic eggs. I either sprinkle it with cinnamon or send a BIT of pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup) for them to dip it in. It is their favorite.

As far as protein in the lunch goes, an excellent protein source that is easy to digest and full of brain friendly EFAs (in perfect ratios) is hulled hemp seeds. They are nonallergic so safe to send in the lunch. I send 2-3 tbsp in a small container and the kids pour it into their yogurt or apple sauce (I find they are more likely to eat these things if they get to "participate" a bit. They taste like raw sunflower seeds so most kids are okay with them.

[Erica]

The french toast sounds yummy. I will try it...
So my son only ate his salami, pickle, banana/pumpkin loaf (didn't have enough bananas), and his juice. I think he might have eaten a handful of macaroni, but not much. I don't think he touched his fruit or veg...I have to pack three lunches next week, so I wil definately try the fr.toast.

[April]

When I was a nanny I was responsible for snacks and lunches.. I found pretzels were a hit.. You can get Snyders which are organic and if you are concerned about salt you can get them unsalted. Pitas are also fun.. You can have a variety of choices and let the kiddos stuff their own.. you can do cheeses and veggies.. or a humus and veggie.. or if you want to do a meat you could do a tuna...