I have to admit that I am still really new at this packing lunch business. When E1 was in preschool as a 2 year old, there was a period of time that he stayed for Lunch Bunch. But my mom was around at the time helping me with my twin girls and had packed many of his lunches then. Now that E1 is in Pre-K for 2 full days a week, I've had to do some research into what other moms pack for their kids.
I have a lunch ideas Pinterest board that was part of my research, you can check it out
here.
So here is what E1's first lunch looked like:
I was totally amazed that he actually finished everything but some crackers!
In the future, I'm planning on making sandwiches and some healthier meat options, like strips of baked chicken breasts.
What do you pack your kids for lunch? Any good ideas you could share with me? Can't wait to hear from you!
Zi
Ha! I'm in the lunch packing businness most of the time nowadays and I found that my option 1 is to pack the left over dinner as the main meal and then throw in some snacks/fruits. It makes life easier because you don't have to make a separate meal.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of healthy food here: grapes (Fibers/vitamins), cucumbers (fibers/vitamins) and string cheese (good calcium). Chicken breast/Ham/Turkey would be a good choice for protein. (You can substitute with Tofu or beans if you want) A good quality carb would be nice to help him feel full longer like whole-wheat bread or brown rice.
Great to have a comment from you Alan! I definitely do left overs for the hubby but unfortunately it is a bit harder for kid lunches since we eat mostly rice and soup noodle type foods at home and they would be a bit too messy for school. So for school I try to do more finger foods. Will definitely be adding some chicken breast and some bread in the future!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zi. Right now, teachers help the kids warm-up their foods, but when J gets to the 3s classroom, there's no more of that (to teach them independence), so cold finger foods is the way to go. That is, until they're older and better with using utensils by themselves. I agree with Alan that you have made some great choices, and what more, E1 finished most of it! Best feeling in the world. I love the packaging too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it feels great when they finish what you packed! Thanks, the box was picked up at Old Navy with a coupon!
DeleteI make my kids leave whatever they don't finish in their boxes because sometimes they just throw out parts they don't finish. I figured this out when I grilled Bean about what she ate. I also found out she shared or traded her food because she said so so really liked xyz. I wish she would eat rice or lunch or baos so I can make a proper bento.
ReplyDeleteHaha...I wasn't sure either so I asked him and he said he did finish everything but the few crackers that he brought back. E1 does eat rice but I think that is too messy and don't want to make the teacher's life difficult. But a bao is a good idea, he eats that too.
DeleteI think it's time to wrap him some sushi. (hrm...yeah right) ^_^
DeleteBut honestly, I'd think if they can properly use a spoon, a mixture of soup (not the running kind) with rice would do the trick.
There are times when we offer this to J at home, and I've seen him devour the whole thing all by himeself...