Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Help! Have given up on full time school lunches as there are too many meals that O just isn't eating....but as I suspected I'm now getting into a rut of same old things every day (not that she minds), but I'd like to offer some variety.


She always has school meal on a Friday (fish and chips)....so I could do with 3 or 4 good suggestions to rotate through Monday to Thursday - any suggestions?


Molly

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/13523-ideas-for-pack-lunches/
Share on other sites

Do you have a wide thermos? You could do a variety of pastas, fried rice or soups. Our lunch boxes are limited to the school's no nut policy which includes hummus and so no peanut butter sandwiches for us (which is a fav). Other things I've put in lunch boxes are samosas (because eldest loves them), sandwiches of all varieties (ham, chicken, cheese, smoked salmon, etc), brioches with jam, pastas (with parmesan cheese in a separate container so they can add it themselves), fried rice. I then load the lunch up with little tupperware containers of cut fruit, cheese cubes, one sweet biscuit, and yoghurts of some variety, etc.


I know what you mean about the rut and it's difficult being creative at 7am before the coffee has settled into my system. On some days I'm really inventive and some days I forget to put the fork and napkin in. Duh!


Hope that helps.


Edited to add, I once had cold fried chicken (American style) from the previous night's left over and it went down really well in the lunchbox!

Hi Molly,


I empathise deeply. Every school morning I hit the kitchen at 7.15am and begin the tyranny that is packed lunches for 5.


Mine tend to be fairly conservative in their tastes though. Eldest likes pasta or rice salads (leftovers from night before rehashed with chopped fresh veg & salad dressing), or a PBJ sandwich, or a salad-y wrap. Boy likes a plain bagel (he's odd like that), but bagels are very versatile I find, middle boy likes either hot pasta in a flask with grated cheese - parm if we have it or more usually cheddar- or cheese & crackers, youngest has pitta with various insides, currently mayo & cucumber), or hot pasta with sauce (he & middle boy take it in turns to have the flask). Sensibleman has brie & tomato chutney, or pickled onion (oh yeah - thank goodness I don't work with him), or coleslaw, sandwiches. All have some fruit (various depending on person & taste), a yoghurt or frube (age dependant), a chocolate biscuit or bit of cake, & sometimes some mini cocktail sausages or whatever little bits I've got in the fridge I think they'll like. Sometimes those snack-a-jack packets, or something like, can be a treat too.


I barely open my eyes till it's done & my kids/husband have learned not to expect conversation until it's all over & I have my first cup of tea in my hand!


I bet you soon find a rhythm to it, and it's quite nice to be able to send in a little bit of home for them to have in the middle of the day. I once knew someone who used to put little notes in her child's lunchbox. I thought that was quite sweet, but usually only get it together to do it on birthdays or if I think they need a boost.

Not much variety her ebut he's happy with a healthy lunch


Brown bread hummous sandwich often with salad

Bag of salad (tomato, cucumber or pepper)

Pot of nice fruit (gtrapes, raspberries etc)

Yoghurt


Sometimes a biscuit


Also takes a satsuma and an apple for playtime...


Nice to feel he has had 4/5 of his fruit and veg! (But he likes fruit and veg, it's variety of saindwich fillings he won't do)

Gosh reading your posts has made me feel terrible lol! my little mans lunch looks very sad in comparisson...but im with you guys its a defo prob,,bet even Jamie Oliver gets stuck in a pack lunch rut..his kids are prob crying out for a frube or a rocky bar.

mad son tneds to like chesse and crackers, cheese and ham wraps, cheese cheese and a bit more cheese! I gave him tuna once just to jazz things up but it did not go down well he sad" what the hell was that stuff in my roll, cheese mum you cant go wrong with cheese".I switch treats jelly, mini cheeders, chocy bar..but much to his disgust the fruit is always in there. His excuse for not eating them is they take to long to eat and he misses football! Im a pack lunch making machine always done the night before and most nights I havent even taken my coat off!

I have at least 10 years of lunch making ahead of me....theres a fun thought for a wednesday

xxx

Couscous with peas, sweetcorn, cheese, lemon juice and a little olive oil (cold); cold pasta pesto; very occasional treat - small sausage rolls.


We also try wraps (tuna or cheese and ham), crackers (high fibre) with cheese, all sorts of fruit (melon, mango, grapes, strawberries), baby bell cheese, pots of vegetables - we find celery, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber and peppers work best. Sadly neither of them like dips. Also recently tried Yo Yo fruit roll ups which went down a treat (nothing but fruit in them). If no fruit in pack give them a carton of Innocent smoothie.


Hard mummy only gives then a treat like chocolate brioche or biscuits once a week and they sometimes get a pack of crisps if on a school trip.


Looking forward of hearing other suggestions!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Per Cllr McAsh, as quoted above: “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution. " Is anyone au fait with the Clean Air Act 1993, and  particularly with the state of 'Smoke Control' law and practice generally?  I've just been looking  through some of it for the first time and, afaics, the civil penalties mentioned  were introduced into the Clean Air Act, at Schedule 1A, in May 2022.  So it seems that, in this particular,  it's a matter of the enforcement policy trailing well behind the legislation.  I'm not criticising that at all, but am curious.  
    • Here's the part of march46's linked-to Southwark News article pertaining to Southwark Council. "Southwark Council were also contacted for a response. "Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste said: “One of Southwark’s key priorities is to create a healthy environment for our residents. “To achieve this we closely monitor legislation and measures that influence air pollution – our entire borough apart from inland waterways is designated as a Smoke Control Area, and we also offer substantial provision for electric vehicles to promote alternative fuel travel options and our Streets for People strategy. “We as a council support the work of Mums for Lungs and recognise the health and environmental impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, particularly from wood-burning appliances. “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution.  “This work is being undertaken in collaboration with other London boroughs as part of the pan-London Wood Burning Project, which aims to harmonise enforcement approaches and share best practice across the capital.” ETA: And here's a post I made a few years ago, with tangential relevance.  https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/278140-early-morning-drone-flying/?do=findComment&comment=1493274  
    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...