Taking a Lunch

My kids don't do sandwiches, why?, have no idea! I have found though if i take my apple core'er & use it to make little round bites of ham & cheese, they will eat it. I make bite size pieces of wheat bread too or crackers. I take pears & apples & cut into 4 pieces. I take each piece & make thin slices, then use cor'er & make round bite size pieces of that too. they sit & stack then eat & every bite is different depending on what they stack. Do two different cheeses. You can do same with avocado, peaches, cantaloupe, or any melons. I don't know what it is about the round bite size piece, but like magic for my kids. Hope this helps. Oh. another option my kids love is pig in blankets....not real healthy, but they love it. Hillshire smokies wrapped in crescent or biscuit dough. bake 13 minutes. I serve with grape cherry tomatoes cucumber sticks & grapes & strawberries.

when you find out, let me know! LOL! That's all my daughter will eat for her school lunch as well. I talked to the pediatrician as well as a nutritionist, and they both said that PB&J is actually one of the healthier lunches kids could be eating. There's protein in that peanut butter. As long as they are eating it, it wasn't worth the battle. I use the circle sandwich cutter from Pampered Chef so the sandwich looks like smuckers "crustables".
Good luck!

My son is in first grade too. He will eat absolutely anything and was buying his lunch everyday which I thought was GREAT until I realized by the time he got his tray (Mr. Pokey) he had about 2 minutes to eat! So now he acks but other than PBJ, he doesn't like sandwiches. Loves Lunchables but likes MY home made ones better--pepperoni, crackers & cheese. Or an Uncrustable. I think the repetition bothers us more than it bothers them.
My nephew took 2 rice cakes with peanut butter every single day from 7th grade to senior year!

Yougrts are a great source of protein. I also use to send cereal in a tupperware bowl and have my son buy milk fresh from the school and mix it in. I have a picky eater as well but these items became staples for my son. I also have a great recipe for cheap and easy pepperoni rolls my kids love. For each roll you need 2 frozen dinner rolls thawed, pepperoni, and mozzerella cheese. I thaw the rolls, and make them into flat circles, take one put pepperoni, and a sprinkling of mozzerella cheese on top. Put the second one on top and pinch shut like a pie. Baste with melted butter and bake at 350 unitl golden brown, when warm if you have it sprinkle with parmesean cheese. These are great and a good staple. My son knows how to make these for himself for the week now.

If that is all he will eat, then send him to school with PB&J. That way, he will have filled his tummy in school, and won't be starving. A hungry child can't concentrate and will be lethargic.
PB&J is healthy... because there is protein in it, and if you put it on whole wheat bread, that is a whole grain... and give him milk with it.

Next, on a weekend... brainstorm WITH him about ideas on what he wants to take for lunch. Then, go shopping together... and pick things out WITH him. That way, you will at least know what he likes/will eat/ and won't eat.
Make it a fun "project" for the both of you... incorporating him into the decision making. And "let" him decide on his menu too.

Main thing is, in school, he eats a meal... and his tummy filled. But of course, don't send him to school with sugary candy/treats/cookies... which is what a lot of parents do and I see it myself in my daughter's cafeteria. Believe it or not, that is all some kids get for "home lunch" in their bags....and NO main course what so ever. Just candies and cookies and juice. I actual saw it with my own eyes.

Don't make home-lunch into a "battle"... just let him take whatever he will eat... because then, at dinner and for breakfast, you can then serve him other things. "Lunch" is not a kids only meal opportunity in other words.

My daughter went through a period this year, where all she wanted for home lunch was pot-stickers and clementines and water. That's fine. She ate. She got full. It was also a protein, so that's good. Protein... which is good for keeping blood-sugar levels even keeled (thus a kid does not get tired and lethargic) and its good for their growing body and muscles and gives them an energy boost.

good luck,
Susan

If your son won't eat anything but peanut butter and jelly, then send peanut butter and jelly! The peanut Butter is high in protein, so that's good, you don't have to worry about the amount of protein he's getting. He may not like the texture of turkey, my son will not eat much meat at all! He likes tacos and spaghetti, chicken nuggets, the occasional hot dog, hamburger and sloppy joes; one thing you can do is first, ask if there is a microwave that he could use to heat up cold leftovers. If there is, then when you make something for dinner that you know he really likes, then make a little bit extra and put in plastic container and save it for his lunch the next day. Just put an icepack in his lunch box and it should stay cold enough to keep it safe until lunch time.
You could also experiment with different types of jelly; my son won't eat jelly, but my daughter likes strawberry, grape and blueberry.

This is what my kids' lunch for when they go to preschool looks like:

1/2 peanut butter sandwich (soy butter for my daughter; she's in a peanut free room)
container of fruit or yogurt
some carrots or a baggy of chips
2 small cookies or a small bag of Amy's fruit snacks. (gelatin free)

As he gets older, his palate will change and grow and he'll eat more. Good luck

Our 4 year old is the same. To break it up, we send cold pizza or Salami & Cheese with crackers & cucumbers as a side.

We cook a chicken breast for our 2 year old every night and put it in the fridge & then in her lunch box. She loves it. Once in a while we will send her with Tuna or Tuna Macaroni Salad, but I am sure it's odd for a kid to like Tuna!!

Our kids school will not heat food. I have tried the thermos, but it does not stay all that warm between 6:45am and 11:30.

Just think how many of us ate a PB&J for YEARS growing up and it did not ruin us :) As long as he gets a fruit or a veggie every day, I think he is good.

If you are worried about protein, try eggs, cheese, nuts, beans.

I have noticed that young kids get tired of flavors quickly, and a big sandwich becomes unappealing. Try putting small amounts of many things, especially things that can be eaten with fingers. Kids want to run off and play--- spoons and forks and packaging slow them down.
I worked at lunchtime at an elementary school and I can tell you that many kids throw food away (you would be amazed what get thrown in the trash)---so don't get hung up on making your son take certain things, because if he doesn't want to eat it, he won't!

I just make my kids have a reasonable balance, and then I wait until they are at home to give them extra fruits and vegetables!

Thats a tough one. I struggle with this everyday. My son is very picky. He will eat egg salad. My daughter on the other hand likes everything, I send her to school with all kinds of food; cottage cheese, hummus, pita and veggies, apples and peanut butter, yogurt, cheese sticks and bread on the side with pudding or other treat. Finger food is good. I will be looking forward to getting some ideas from your post.

Over the years, I have tried different things for my daughter. Yogurt, cheese sticks, apples and peanut butter, salami and cheese without bread (rolled together). She will eat hummus and pita as well. She went through a soup phase as well. Cold pizza is one of her favorites. My first daughter ate PB&J almost daily through 5th grade and then branched out into other things. Good luck!

When my son entered Kindergarten, we went from PB&J to no-nuts.....he hated SunButter, so I had to send whatever we had......cold pizza, mac & cheese, meat/cheese rollups, etc. Our staple is GoGurt, which he never rejects, and then we build around that. As others have said, you don't need a "Main Course" but several different types of food that are equal.

I found that focusing on the items they like best is the way to go and forget about a "main course". My kids didn't eat sandwiches, I would send cheese cubes, crackers, fruit, veggie sticks, etc.

Try last nights leftovers!
Also carrot sticks, cucumber, crackers and cheese. Kiwi fruit and strawberries. Nuts. A pot of cheese whiz spread with something for dipping - bread sticks or pretzels or celery or peppers. Yoghurt is good but opening the gogurt stick things is tricky for kids and a pot of yoghurt is cheaper (remember to pack a spoon!) Always include water, juice or milk. Just keep trying a variety. I work as a lunch mom at my kids elementary and none of the kids has starved even when they didn't like what they had packed. Just ask him to bring home what he didn't eat then you can gauge what works and what gets left!!

HI D.,
Actually peanut butter is a very good lunch, but be careful what kind you buy- there is good peanut butter and bad peanut butter. Please read the labels- Jif is terrible! If they are adding high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated fats and sugar, to make it 'look nice and creamy' and spread easily-- that doesn't mean it is good for people to eat. Choose natural peanut butters that are just peanuts and maybe a little salt. If children learn to eat good food at a young age, they will be healthier adults.
Best Wishes,
M.

My kids are funny about sandwiches too. I find that giving them rolled up lunchmeat (held in place with cocktail swords) makes for main course that is ALWAYS eaten.

Why doesn't he like the turkey? Is it the brand or the particular type of turkey? It sounds like he wants something sweet at lunch. So couple of things...have him try a slice of Roasted Honey Turkey. The brand I like best, because it actually tastes like meat, is Boarshead or Dietz and Watson. Second have you tried organic peanut butter? It has half the amount of sugar and of course organic peanuts. A cost effective yet tasty brand, which we use, is Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter and you can get it at Costco.

Have you tried different things for him at lunchtime on non school days? That way you know if he likes it and he is still getting food in him. Also, does he have a famous person that he really likes? Maybe an athlete? You could tell him that this person eats (and whatever they eat) that food for lunch. It may inspire him to change it up a bit.

My son is 15 and still favors PBJ for lunch. But I make his lunch and he has to have lunch meat every other day.

my daughter likes pepperoni, egg salad sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, ham and crackers, sometimes i do tortilla chips and salsa too

Have you tried rolling his lunch in a tortilla? What about chopped chicken? I melt cheddar cheese and chopped chicken, then roll it in a tortilla and my daughter loves it. Any love for tuna fish? What about chopped chicken or turkey salad? Egg salad sandwich? It is a challenge!

My 1st grade daughter is the same way - so she eats a PB&J for lunch every day. I also pack her 1 other thing (anything more than that and she runs out of time) - sliced apples (pre-bagged), Special K Fruit Crisps (new, and she loves them), Nature Valley Cashew Nut Clusters (also new - find them by the pretzels usually in store - my kids love them). Here is another idea for a main course if he gets tired of PB&J --- Special K Protein Meal Bar. You can find them by the protein bars - usually a different section of the grocery store than regular granola bars are - I like the Chocolate Peanut Butter, but they have different flavors. They have 10 grams of protein and are realy delicious. And, one other idea - Carnation Instant Breakfast Mix with Milk - my kids like Vanilla, but also comes in Strawberry or Chocolate. This would be a good option for lunch entree too if you can keep it cold in a thermos.

ok well this is what i do. Either my son gets peanut butter and jelly, or toasted peanutbutter, or just peanut butter, he doesn't like anything else occasionally i ask him if he wants bolognie and he will say yes but not all the time. I also give him a jello pudding, either a yougart of his favorite or a frozen gogurt. He gets a jello and juice. some days he eats it all and some not. he just started finishing it. beleive me he won't go hungry you also have to encourage him not to share his lunch you can also substitue a sandwhich with nachos chips and cheese or get those lucnhables if he likes them i don't really recommend those but they like them once in a while I say ok but not all the time. Once in a while if hes game you can do carrots and dip or ham slices with creamcheese and chives roll it and make little circle bits. You can celery and peanut butter or celery and cream cheese. You can also do ham and turkey and bolognie chunks with fruit on a scewer. One piec of meat to one piece of fruit .

My 3 year old has eaten pbj for weeks at a time for his lunch, but seems ok! I think they get in a rut. Just like what they like.
Anyway- Have you tried a home made "lunchable"? Cheese slices, meat, crackers? String cheese is a big hit for my boys.

My daughter, who is in second grade loved taking a hard boiled egg for a while. I would put it in a ziplock back with a little salt. Another thing we sometimes do is create our own lunchable. I will put ring bologna, cheese, and crackers in her lunch then give some fruit and a desert cake. Sandwiches get so boring but my son , who is 10 has pb and j almost everyday. Another thing I do with my daughter is I only give her a half sandwich because she has told me that she throws away half her sandwich when she gets a whole one. Hope this helps.

Your son could try fruit-flavored yogurt with a snack-sized packet of granola to add. Other protein-rich choices: hummus with pita bread, cottage cheese with pineapple, peanut butter with celery sticks, or cheese and crackers.
If the peanut butter your son eats doesn't contain partially-hydrogenated oil and added sugar, it's a good choice.
M. Dillon-Butler
Author, Myrtle the Hurdler and her Pink and Purple, Polka-Dotted Girdle
award-winning picture book about nutrition and fitness

Yep, that's my daughter, right there. The only sandwich she'll eat is a pb & j... she is now in 3rd grade.
I have gotten creative, though. I will sometimes send her in with one of those Jif peanut butter cup things(prepackaged ones- cleaning up little storage cups after PB is just TOO yucky for me) and apple slices, celery sticks or even a ziploc baggie of Nilla Wafers to dip out the PB with. Also, individually wrapped cheese sticks are GREAT. Surely there is at least one variety your son will eat (cheddar, mozzarella string, colby/jack, even sharp cheddar if you get the Cracker Barrel variety). Trail mix is also a good option. All of these have a good 6 grams of protein.. which is a good start on what your son needs to get through his day... some protein.
I used to get my older child to eat pinwheels-- roll up a flour tortilla with a smear of mustard/mayo and a slice of ham/cheese, then slice into little wheel/circles... stick them in a ziploc. My daughter won't eat them, though.
Will your son eat boiled eggs?
You could wrap up some celery sticks with PB on them.
I'll toss a lunchable (ham/cheese with crackers) in my daughter's lunch about once a week. Otherwise it is PB& J (or Goober) or the Jif cups with something to dip them, unless it is pizza day. That is the ONLY cafeteria food she will eat.

Hi D.---It's been a long time since I've had to send lunches to school, but I have found a great resource for recipes that has a section on kid-friendly meals. I'm pretty sure I've seen suggestions for school lunches. Go to www.eatingwell.com and explore that site.

Start having your son help you to prepare his lunches. If he is a pickier eater, then have him help select things at the grocery store. Give him choices, but those options should be items that you want him to choose from. Getting them involved helps them to be a little more adventurous.

And keep trying to offer new foods. Dr. William Sears, www.askDrSears.com, states that it can take 10 or more tries to get a child to eat a new food. Be lovingly persistent and have positive expectations, and he will come around.

Good luck, D.

My kids like pancakes, we cut them up and put them in a thermos and pack a little container of syrup for dipping. They also like pasta with turkey meatballs, hot dogs and beans and just plain hotdogs.