School Lunch Ideas for the Picky Allergic Eater

My son is like Denise P's. Not really picky, but he doesn't like sandwiches and he hates peanut butter. You can put just about anything in a thermos. We have been doing this since the start of school. When I wake up I microwave water until it's hot and then fill his thermos. I put the top on and go about the morning. A few minutes before we walk out the door I heat up lunch, dump the water and put the warm food inside. It's stays hot for almost 5 hours (fortunately my son eats early, so it's not an issue). We have done hot dogs (sliced them on time, left the whole another time and he assembled them at lunch, I left some water in the thermos to keep it warm), rice, pastas of all kinds, pot stickers, chicken nuggets, soups, and even egg rolls. Maybe homemade lunchables? I use a biscuit cutter. Cut the deli meat into circles for him to top crackers with. My son loves turkey with cream cheese down the middle and then rolled up. I also love this website for ideas. I am not sure who on here originally posted it, but I refer to it often for new lunch ideas. http://easylunchboxes.smugmug.com/The-Best-Lunchbox-Syste...

My son also has food allergies. We have found Sunbutter to be a great substitute for PB. He loves taking Sunbutter & Jelly sandwiches in his lunch. I like some of the other answers given and will be trying some of them out. Thanks for asking this!

Well, as the mother of a boy who *will* eat anything, but refuses sandwiches, I can relate. What about a turkey lettuce wrap? Greek yogurt with fruit on the bottom? A turkey deli style wrap sandwich? Turkey on a croissant? Could it be the "bread" style/flavor--not the turkey itself? get some yummy little buns.
Or no sandwiches at all. That's OK. Crackers and cheese, crackers and pepperoni, pretzels and cheese sauce, grapes, fruit cups, jello, pudding, rice cakes, cottage cheese doubles, etc.
Can he take warm things in a small thermos? My son takes mac & cheese, meatballs, etc.
I'm in "grade 3" of the NO sandwich phase. Lord help me!

Cheese pizza
Grilled cheese (I know wierd, but my daughter ate cold ones for one school year)
Salad
Home made Lunchables (summer sausage, cheese, and crackers)
Try putting his favorite lunch meats on hotdog or hamburger buns.
Tuna salad

That's all I got...Good luck.
Jen

Will he eat the school lunch? thats what my kids do much easier than trying to pack one though my kids get lunch free

how about packing homemade pasta? you can make it with different sauces, including just tomato (if he will eat that) additionally, lasagne makes for a good lunch. My son, while not picky, he does like good food and will eat many items that kids his age will not.. by that I mean, lots of veggies both cooked and raw. Therefore, we are always trying to come up with nice lunch ideas. With tortillas, you can definitely make turkey roll ups and or lavash or naan bread..
does your son like any type of beans? would he eat a non-spicy finely finely minced turkey chili? that with some cornbread might make a nice lunch. Additionally, you say he like raisins, you could do a raisin bread (toasted or not) include some yogurt and or apple slices (esp since they are now in season)
Also, apple butter spread is good on bread/toast..

best of luck to you

my youngest doesn't like bread, so i give her lunchmeat and cheese rollups- just roll the 2 together. i usually give her 2 of them. that, a piece of fruit, and something crunchy and sweet (like a granola bar). what about bean burritos? they're not have bad lukewarm- just bean and cheese ones, anyway. also, maybe almond butter and graham crackers? honestly, my kids don't mind that they don't get a huge variety. they kind of like the same stuff over and over again. guess i'm lucky? good luck!