what are some good lunch box ideas for my son?

Question

My son will not eat lunch meat or pb&j. Also, he eats so late in the day that hot meals, even in a thermos, get cold. He loves tuna, but I can only pack once a week (mercury). We also do yogurt, but even the organic is loaded with sugar. Sometimes I will do almonds and other nuts. Obviously we do lots of fruit, but I need ideas for good sources of protein. He also hates cheese!! See my dilemma?? Any ideas?

Answer 1

how about:
seafood salad (since he likes tuna)
egg salad or boiled eggs
pita & hummus
lettuce rolls (w/chicken & sprouts)
chicken salad or just diced chicken
leftover fried chicken or chicken nuggets (it's from the frig, but my kids say it's just the right temp by lunchtime)
celery & carrots w/some dip
apples w/peanut butter (maybe he'll eat the peanut butter without the jelly)
organic breakfast bars (not sure about the sugar content)
tofu?

Answer 2

Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) combined with a whole grain (some nice whole grain bread) make a very low fat protein. The following recipe (which is somewhat like hummus) can be spread on bread/toast, with veggies added, or you could add some veggies to the blender while you're making it (I've never tried that but I'm sure it would work). It might be a little runny for more than a thin layer on the bread, so you may want to decrease the amount of yogurt or increase the amount of garbanzos, or if you add veggies to it, that might make it thicker.

This recipe comes from the book The Low-Fat Good Food Cookbook by Martin Katahn.

Garbanzo Dip
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans
1 tsp. onion powder
2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, ground with a mortar and pestle (I've never added this)

1. Drain the garbanzos, and pour them into a blender or food processor.
2. Add the onion powder, garlic, salt, and yogurt, and blend until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into a serving bowl, and top with the sesame seeds. Chill until serving time.

This makes about 2 cups, and the book says serving size is 1 tbsp. Per serving, it has no fat, 22 calories, no cholesterol, 1 g. dietary fiber, and 20 mg. sodium. I don't have the info for the rest of the amounts, like for protein, sorry.

My fiance never liked cheese that much, except on pizza, or maybe a grilled cheese sandwich. However, he tried pepper jack cheese and loved it. He also hated cheese with eggs, but I found out he had only ever had cheddar, so I made him an omelet with jack cheese, and he loved it. Maybe see if your son might like a different type of cheese, something mild like jack or mozzarella? Or maybe something more tangy like sharp cheddar.

I agree with the person who suggested a hard boiled egg. You could send it peeled or unpeeled, and include a bag of salt & pepper to dip the egg into.

You said your son doesn't eat lunch meat, maybe ask him why he doesn't like it. If he doesn't like bologna, he might like turkey or roast beef. If he doesn't like the kind in packages, you could try some from the deli counter, or vice versa.

If he likes salad, you could try a salad with whatever veggies he'd like, and possibly sprouts or a hard boiled egg, or some cooked chicken pieces (they sell some in the stores, but you can make your own), garbanzos, or even imitation crab meat. If you add garbanzos in to the salad, make sure there's some whole grain in the meal too, to make the complete protein.

Sorry for being so long winded! Hope I was helpful!

Answer 3

Why don't you make a large batch of small chicken wings to store in the fridge ready to be packed in the lunch. One recipe my young children used to like was to combine some honey, soya sauce and some garlic salt and to coat the wings. Spread the wings on a cookie sheet or broiler pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cooked through and golden. These are delicious cold and you can make a big batch ahead of time. Package a few up in little baggies along with some cut up vegetables. You can prepare these in advance as well and keep them stored in the refrigerator. Provide a small buttered roll or crusty bread and you have a great lunch.

Answer 4

Wow! That is a dilemma, have you ever tried egg salad sandwiches or chicken salad sandwiches? They are not made with lunch meat and are good protien sources. Also you could try a tuna casserole made with macaroni or shell macaronis for a change from the usual. I think also beans are a great source of protien, but I am not sure how to incorporate without it being hot and getting cold as you said, because beans with cut up hot dogs is always a winner!! Good luck!

Ok, I went to the internet and I found you this site! It has a lot of great sandwich ideas!! I hope this helps!! Good luck again!!

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/ff/bts/lunchIdeas.htm

Here is another one that I found that has some good ideas as well and it has a few links to other sites also!!

http://southernfood.about.com/cs/lunchboxideas/a/school_lunch.htm

Answer 5

This sounds odd, but a great salad sandwich can go down really well. Some low-fat dressings can make salad taste great, even to kids. Unfortunately, if he's eating late in the day, lettuce might get soggy. He won't eat "lunch meat": does this include all sliced meat, or just your average bologna, etc? Will he eat chicken in a sandwich?

They can be expensive, but have you asked a nutritionist? They could provide you with some delicious, interesting meal ideas. You sound like a responsible mum and I wish you the best :)

Answer 6

My picky 12yr old says a lunchable. Problem with them is they are spendy and have alot of salt in them but occasionally they are ok. How about home cooked meat rather than store bought lunch meat. Instead of sandwiches how about cold chicken, Do they have a microwave the kids are allowed to use at school? If so if your sons old enough to know how to use them make him something the night before he can pop in the microwave. At Riely Creek School the kitchen staff will warm up stuff for the kids. Ask about that posibility.

Answer 7

How about things like yogurt covered raisons and nuts. Make your own "trail mix" and vary it so he does not become bored with it. Remember the party mix with cereals, mmmm, with the added nuts.

Ever think of just plain raw veggies he enjoys. You can buy Ranch dip in small containers that don't need to be refrigerated for the dip.

How about the V-8 style juices that contain lots of veggies and fruits?

Have you tried peanut butter and honey? Honey is good for u in moderation.

And, the least could be cereal, with or without milk.

Answer 8

You could try peanut butter crackers to boost his protein. My son is the pickiest child when it comes to eating, but he loves peanut butter crackers. He likes the cheese crackers with peanut butter, but you said your son doesn't like cheese. They do make different ones without the cheese.

Answer 9

Tuna and yogert need to be kept cold, so I avoid those...Cheese and crackers (or the crackers with spreadable cheese) are always good. Pepperidge farm goldfish, granola bars, and those Dole fruit and parfait cups are a hit with my son. good luck!

Answer 10

chicken salad sandwich..my son likes them on a hamburger bun instead of bread..thinks its a little extra fun.