What To Pack For Kids' Lunches?

[smithpy 117]

I want to minimize the junk food in our house and help my kids make healthier choices, but I am at a loss for what to keep in the house for the kids.

I generally pack them a sandwhich, juice, fruit and chips for lunch. After school they have a bag of chips. So I did buy Cheez-Its and Goldfish instead of chips, but I am not sure if that's any healthier. Plus, I am doing my very best to now go and grab a handful of crackers.

Anyone else having luck with their kids. Keep in mind, one of mine is a teenager so it's not an easy transition.

[Jessica9190 127]

I have the same issue with my two boys. I am anxious to hear some ideas

[fyre_storm 1,412]

You can get baked chips that are healthier. You can get natural Peanut Butter and celery. You can also get crystal light in a bottle instead of giving them fruit juice.

[Strangefruit 179]

I was surprised to find out that my 10yr old liked hummus... He also liked cauliflower with ranch dressing. I also buy cheese sticks and pretzels as semi healthy Snacks.< /p>

[smithpy 117]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[kortolano 100]

pop corn, my son LOVES popcorn, he also eats the baked chips, and i bought the little packs of apples with dipping sauce and carrots with ranch, and the 100 cal packs of Cookies. He eats them like that but wont eat a whole apple or carrots out of a bag i dont get it but i got him away from the chips and cookies

[smithpy 117]

Before surgery I would eat 3-4 100 calorie bags. Glad those days are behind me.

I'd like to get them off of simple carbs but this maybe too hard for them.

[Vidalia 122]

Chobani has some new kids Greek yogurt with chocolate chips or berries in that my kids like. I also do apple slices with some Peanut Butter. I found a neat container that has a little place in middle for peanut butter or dressing. You can also do carrot sticks and low-fat ranch dressing. Sometimes I put in bars like NutriGrain yogurt bars or granola type bars.

[smithpy 117]

Great ideas.

[chitowngirl 884]

My son who is also a teenager loves yogurt. I also buy him popcorn, the cutie oranges. He is a big fan of the 100 calorie Snacks also.

[firebelle10 80]

I make homemade Soup and pack it in a thermos!

They love it

[smithpy 117]

I make homemade Soup and pack it in a thermos!

They love it

How long does your thermos keep the soup hot?

[firebelle10 80]

How long does your thermos keep the Soup hot?

I make it pipping hot in the microwave and it usually stays pretty warm for about 4hrs. So that's perfect from packing it to when he is eating the soup.

[BKMama 179]

We do warm leftovers from dinner like Soup, stew, or noodles with cheese and veggies. Same as above, overheat it and it's perfect by lunch time.

For cold lunches, I do Pb&j, pb & apple butter, apple butter and cream cheese, nutella and pb, or nutella and cream cheese (my daughter doesn't like meat sandwiches). Then I add mini cheese rice cakes, crackers, or carrots for her "chips", a piece of fruit, and Water or juice.

[iggychic 1,405]

Ohhhhh so this is why the other kids steal my son's lunch

I am challenged by my son's feeding disorder. He can only eat certain textures and he's underweight. His lunch is chocolate pudding, cheetos, fishy crackers, a cookie with frosting (he only eats the frosting) a hotdog cut up and maybe a bit of chocolate or a few m&m's. I know the teacher just thinks I'm a bad parent, but let me tell you, I envy those who can send fruit and vegies or Soup