What do you feed your kids for lunch?

Question

They are five years old and a year old.

Everyday we normally have ravioli with mixed vegetables. That's getting a little old. I mean they eat it without complaint but I just know after a few days of eating the same things it kind of wears you out.

Some other things that we try are macaroni and cheese, hot dogs [occasionally], grilled cheese, and loaded mashed potatoes. I like making these things it's just I feel like I'm giving them junk even though they also eat a vegetable along with it.

I cook dinner every night--it's different so it's not like that's their only meal. Breakfast is normally eggs, ham, and fruit. I mean it's just lunch that I have an issue with. I don't eat lunch often and it has to be something that they both can eat with little problem--as in pick up stuff. I don't mind cooking a little something but I don't want to cook two big meals a day for them.

Any suggestions would be great!

Answer 1

Great question! I too have the same issue with 1 1/2 year old. Then again she is super picky so there are only a few things that I know she will eat. This is what I feed her:

1-Chicken, broccoli, cheddar nuggets. I put the broccoli (frozen kind-thawed) and chicken (cooked) through the food processor. I finely grate the cheddar and then mix in seasoned bread crumbs. Mix it all together in a bowl and roll them into balls. Cook for 15-20 minutes on 375. You can make a big batch once a week for several meals.
2- Peanut Butter and Jelly-An all time favorite.
3-Chicken soup. I use little alphabet pastas cooked in chicken broth and add frozen peas and carrots.
4-Broccoli rice casserole. Another idea you can make a big batch of and use for several meals.
5-Lunch meat, crackers, cheese with a side of veggies.

For dessert my daughter has a container of applesauce. I think it's Motts that has an unsweetened applesauce that also combines blueberries and strawberries. My daughter is hooked on them.

Hope some of these ideas help!

Answer 2

do some sandwiches with fruit. you know PBJ or a turkey maybe even a few chips. That will be good for the 5 y/o. Leftovers from dinner then make something new for dinner that night. My mother all ways made a little more at dinner. Homemade pizza is really easy and quick we have that every Friday. Just by the crust and sauce you can buy the 2% cheese if you are concerned about calories. Through some pepperoni on it or chicken breast already cooked maybe some veggies through it in the oven for 10 minutes really quick. If they are having healthy dinners maybe junk once or twice a week is not bad. Do some wings from the bag that are BBQ or some pizza rolls or even egg rolls

Answer 3

That's one I'm also having trouble with right now. I don't know half the time what to have for lunch myself, so it's hard for me to come up with ideas for my daughter. Our regulars at the moment are a pb&j sandwich, mashed potatoes, or spaghettios, all with a veggie and fruit and milk. It's hard too cuz she goes to the sitter's, so I have to take that into consideration, with it being portable and all, and if she doesn't like what I pack, I can't exactly fix something else to offer her. You sound like you are doing well, one of my favorites for lunch is turkey, like the thin-sliced sandwich meat. Maybe try some of that, even if it's just rolled up on a plate, with veggies and fruit and some crackers or some kind of bread. Another idea is soup, there are many different varieties, and all you have to do is heat and eat.

Answer 4

I have 3 year old twins and things we eat for lunch are: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Ham or Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches, Mac and Cheese, Hot Dogs, Pizza, Fish Sticks, Grilled Cheese, Black Bean Burritos, Chicken Nuggets and then we always have fruit at lunch, my girls love apples, pears, oranges, blueberries, grapes and cherries.

Answer 5

My kids eat grilled cheese sandwiches a lot. Or quesadillas (which is basically a grilled cheese sandwich using tortillas instead of bread). They also like fish sticks or chicken nugget with tater tots or mac and cheese. There is nothing wrong with giving your kids sandwiches for lunch especially if you will be having a big dinner. My kids like ham or turkey and peanut butter too.

Answer 6

Try a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Or some yogurt with some yummy fresh fruit on the side. How about a make-your-own lunch-able? Cut pieces of cheese and bologna into circles or squares and serve with their favorite crackers. How about breakfast for lunch but instead of eggs make pancakes or waffles? Fresh fruit on the side...yummy!

Answer 7

chicken noodle soup, or veggie soups my 3 y/o LOVES! bologna or ham and cheese sandwiches.
low fat peanut butter on a wheat tortilla, put in microwave for 10 sec. and roll up.
I always give different fruits for lunch. but even a good lunch you could cut up differnt fruits and mix it in some yogurt, its healthy and yummy.
other than that i usually give some of the same things as you.

Answer 8

I usually try different things each day because our 2 year old is picky, this is what I have tried recently that she will actually eat. Tuna sandwiches and cut celery with ranch dressing and cut up pears, Peanut butter and jelly cut into small pieces,with peaches mixed in low fat yogurt,,steamed rice with chicken broth steamed carrots, and apple sauce.

Answer 9

something fun: pizza bagels!
If you get smaller size whole wheat bagels, and put some marinara sauce on them with any kind of cheese (usually mozzerella) and olives, basically anything you want, put them in the oven for a little bit, and wa-la! They're delicious too!

I did an online search and this website also was handy,
http://www.kidsfood.com/index-recipe.php
also, try marthastewart.com and look at her kid friendly recipes, GREAT ideas!!

Good luck!! :)

Answer 10

What about soup, salad, fresh fruit plate, veggie tray and dip, sandwich and applesauce, cottage cheese, fish sticks, leftovers from dinner the night before!