Brown Bag Lunch Ideas-help!!

Updated on February 25, 2011
K.S. asks from Chandler, AZ
10 answers

I have 3 teens in high school. Because of our budget and the large amount of food my kids consume--we are bagging their lunches for them each day. We live in a hot climate (AZ) and they have no lockers in their schools, and no microwaves in the lunch room. What can I pack them besides sandwiches? They are sick to death of sandwiches! Please, I need your clever ideas. The reason I mention we are in a hot climate is because stuff with mayonaisse-such as chicken salad etc. only works a couple months out of the year. We try to give them a sandwich, fruit, chips/pretzels, and maybe a couple of cookies or a Little Debbie snack or something like that. Then they take a drink. All ideas are appreciated! You Mamas are the best and the most clever people I know!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

So, before too many more suggestions for the "insulated bags and ice packs"--remember they are teenagers---and they won't carry them (ugh!) Plus it adds more bulk to their already 40 pound plus bag that they have to carry around all day. I already tried those. They insist on brown paper bags only---don't want to look "wierd". I get it. I was the same way. And cheese and that kind of stuff doesn't hold up well in 100 +degree weather. Thus, my dilemma. Also, my boys can be at school--during the fall from 6am until 5 or 6 pm. They take 4 sandwiches. So, I love the ideas--please keep them coming! I just needed to add those other details.

More Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I know they're tired of sandwiches, but try buying hoagie rolls instead. That's the ONLY way I can get my fiance to eat a sandwich when we're brown bagging it. Despite the climate, it's cheaper to buy cooler-style lunchboxes and throw some freezer packs in there, this way you can keep perishables good until lunchtime. I always pack some kind of sandwich (or cold pizza, my 7 and 5 year olds LOVE that), carrot chips, yogurt, applesauce, sometimes chips or popcorn. It's always sandwich-something healthy-something fun. I also pack string cheese, clementine oranges, or fruit snacks, pretzels, etc. I bought them their own sandwich carriers (cuts down on your plastic baggie use) and they bring home the little containers; I wash and reuse plastic spoons (why not?). They have reusable water bottles, and that's what they get every day- WATER. It's free ;)

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter likes soup. Once in awhile, she likes to have a non-sandwich: a roll or crackers, some cheese slices or chunks, and a slice of lunchmeat or pieces of chicken You could also use insulated lunch bags with a small ice pack to keep things cold. As far as sandwiches go, have you tried using tortillas or wraps instead of bread? It seems easier to add fresh veggies and other non-typical items in the sandwich when it's rolled up (I like mine with crunchy green pepper).

Had another thought. What about veggie burgers? They come in a lot of flavors and might hold up better.

1 mom found this helpful

T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

tortilla wraps
sandwich with tom. sauce, pepperoni. and cheese
crackers with cheese, peanut butter, or hummus
chips and guacamole or salsa
frozen gogurt
cold pasta with italian dressing

1 mom found this helpful

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

My kids like grated cheese in a tort or pbj in a tort.
Cold Pizza. Order too much the night before and make it last two lunches .
Celery and peanut butter.
Change the bread to rolls or fun sub bread.
Cold pasta salad. noodles, peporoni, olives, cucumbers, salami in italian dressing.
Turkey or Ham roll up with cream cheese in a tort.
Lunchables.
Top roman . ( do they have hot water available for hot choc )
Fruit salad with a roll or bread of some kind.
Hamburger or hotdog bun and cheese.

I agree with the insulated lunch sacks.

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Do they have lunck sacks? The insulated kind? If so, then you can stick one of those frozen freezer packs in with it and it will keep things cool/safe. Look in the camping section at Walmart and you should be able to find them.

You could try pinwheels instead of sandwiches... instead of putting deli meats on bread, smear mustard/mayo onto a tortilla and then layer the meat/cheese on it. Then ROLL it and slice: Pinwheels! :)

Also, you can pack cheese sticks (or buy chunk cheese and make your own... just be sure to wrap tightly in saran wrap or a ziploc with no air pockets, or the edges can get hard).

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Appleton on

This idea may make your kids feel like geeks but here goes. Pick up insulated lunch bags and some ice packs. You can also get some Thermos type bottles and pack hot soup and other hot foods.
How about having a fund raiser for the school, so they can purchase a few microwaves?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I have boys in HS too and I did the cost analysis - it is cheaper to pay for the lunch and have them pack a snack in the backpack then pack all they would eat. Just a thought.

Otherwise a frozen corn dog or chicken nuggets may thaw by lunch and be edible (my grade schooler thinks so :) The other option is Smart and Final sells mayo packets that can be applied afterwords

Good luck - mine mostly don't eat much during the day and pig out in the morning and night.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from New York on

If they take a beverage with them, freeze the beverage so it works like an ice block.

I'm guessing if they won't carry an insulated lunch bag, a thermos is probably not a good idea.

Here are some other things that may work in a hot climate...
peanut butter and crackers
granola bars
dried fruit
nuts
carrot and celery sticks
cereal - my daughter loves shreaded wheat
chex mix - make your own
jerky

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

My 9th grader would rather smash a sandwich into his backpack before carrying a lunch box/bag also. So, when he wants to augment his school lunch, his go to is PB&J.

Since we live in the south, I get the heat thing - So, things that I carry for unrefrigerated lunch:

Lettuse wraps - romaine works well and stays crisp - with any of the following -

Sliced turkey or chicken
turkey pepperoni - it is less greasy so holds better
salami
olives or olive salad
pickles
multi colored bell peppers
shredded carrot
celery

try the flavored sandwich wraps instead of sliced bread - they add a nice flavor variety.

Apples, bananas, oranges all hold well during the day

nuts
dried fruit
wheat thins, triscuits

hummus - you can make this at home
salsa
dry cereal - I love fruit loops as a treat!!!

Good luck - it hard keeping teens interested in food. LOL

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions