Lunch Boxes & Lunch

Updated on December 03, 2009
A.V. asks from Austin, TX
20 answers

Hi Ladies,
My little one will start pre-school next month. I am supposed to send lunch. Please give me recommendations for lunch boxes (the ones made out of healthy materials) and recommendations on what to send as lunch. I am thinking finger foods would be great but need some more help planning. Suggestions please.

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

I love the lunchbags on etsy.com- they are hand made, often from recycled materials. HEB and Whole Foods carries stainless steel lunch stuff like kiddy thermoses ect. Walmart MIGHT but not as likely.

For lunches, my girls like mini carrots, apple slices (sprinkle with vitamin C powder or lemon juice to preserve the color) crackers, cheese cubes, veggie chips....I don't like the lunchables because they have stuff in them we don't eat and are expensive. For drinks, Minute Maid 100% juice or Juicy Juice are much better then Capri Suns. And a word of caution- the Capri Sun waters are even worse! They have corn syrup, artificial sweetener, and more...

S., mom to 5!

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V.G.

answers from Houston on

Wraps are good, turkey and cheese rolled in a tortilla? Or chicken strips. Mine like string cheese. Chex mix instead of chips. Fresh fruit is best, but dried fruit is good if you don't think they'll eat a whole apple, etc. You can find little boxes near the raisins at the grocery store. My sons always thought warm soup in the thermos was pretty cool. I packed a plastic fork/spoon/
napkin. I would put a little note or sticker in there to let them know I was thinking about them, too! Even if they can't read, you can draw a little heart, etc.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.J.

answers from Visalia on

I'm not sure what you mean by "healthy material" lunch boxes LOL I just have a soft, insulated lunch bag for my 4 yr old to take to school.
As far as what to send, here are some things I send with my daughter:
PB&J sandwich (half of one) or PB&honey (her favorite!)
granola bars or Nutrigrain bars
crackers
pretzels
animal crackers
sometimes chips (usually fritos or Sun Chips, something at least somewhat healthy)
applesauce
individual serving cups of diced fruit
cheese sticks
small box of raisins
I also make jello and pudding and put it in small containers for her to take
I try and make different cookies every couple weeks, I make a big batch and freeze them so they stay fresh. Oatmeal-raisin cookies are good b/c they are still healthy, but I really think there's nothing wrong with a small homemade cookie for part of a lunch...definitely healthier than pre-packaged ones!
I always send a sports bottle with water for lunch and then a 100% juice box for snack time
I can't think of anything else right now, hopefully this helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.B.

answers from San Antonio on

We bought a lunchbox from Personalization mall.com with our daughter's name on it to assure that her teachers always know which lunch is hers. At her preschool, most of the lunchboxes go in the fridge rather than in the kids' cubbies and I want to make sure the teacher has no question.

As for what to put in it, I send peanut butter a lot, but there are no peanut allergies in her small school. If they ever get a child with peanut allergies, then we'll all have to help protect the child by not sending peanut products, so check with the school.

I also send lunchmeat and cheese, sometimes lunchables, sometimes turkey dogs, sometimes leftover chicken and rice. I've also done boiled eggs. Last week I sent her with chicken soup, but I try not to do that too often because their teachers microwave food that needs to be hot. I haven't sent her with a thermos yet; I'm afraid to have her handle anything like that that's not cold, but maybe in a year or two. (Because we're not allowed to send reusable drink containers, I'm not sure if we can bring thermoses anyway!) I do send fruit each day.

Here's my one issue: I cannot find inexpensive regular milk to send in her lunch box. We are not allowed to send sippy cups for health reasons, so I always have to find disposable drinks. The only white milk I can find is organic, and is out of our budget when it's not on sale. I can buy little bottles of chocolate milk for half that price (two brands), but neither source sells individual-sized white milk. Why not? Isn't it cheaper to sell regular milk than to chocolate-ize it? I really don't want her to get used to chocolate milk that much. I do send little bottles of water sometimes. Juice boxes are just a treat and I put them in only occasionally.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Houston on

I agree with Heather and for her recommendation of laptop lunches. Go to their site and there are a few places to get them here in the Houston/Texas area. Also, they have lunch ideas that are healthy. As far as "safe" lunch boxes, The Laptop Lunch bento boxes are made of safe plastic. They are a very environmentally aware company in California by moms. My son uses one for school. http://www.laptoplunches.com/.
Once in awhile lunchables are okay if you are in a hurry but try to avoid them. I make a lunchable by using a cookie cutter to cut the ham and cheese but I use healthier ingredients. There are lots of sites that offer healthy lunch ideas. I am blessed that my son loves veggies and healthy foods but avoid sugary snacks now at an early age and your child will eat healthier. I do give him sweet snacks but he would rather eat carrots, apples, celery, etc. I have listed a few sites to give you ideas to pack lunch. The night before, I usually pack the lunch so you are not pressed for time in the morning. When you are making dinner put in "leftovers" into one of the containers and you are halfway there. In my son's laptop lunch, I use Rubbermaid Blue ice packs that has small little compartments and I fold over and it keeps his lunch cold all day.

Here are some sites to get some ideas to pack lunches(I am on a different computer than my home one where I booked marked the sites so hopefully I am typing the right info)...
http://www.laptoplunches.com/.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art34420.asp
http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics/article-topics.p...
http://www.themomsbuzz.com/LUNCHBOXIDEASANDTIPS.pdf
family fun
http://www.recipes.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Lunch_Box_Ideas
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/lunch+box+ideas

There are a ton more ideas just google Lunch box ideas and you will get plenty of ideas. If you need more of my booked marked sites just email me and I will send them from my home computer. FYI - I do not know if your daycare will do this or not but don't let them throw away the food your child doesn't eat and you can see what your little squirt eats or doesn't but remember to keep sending example cucumbers even if your squirt doesn't eat them one day but maybe in a week or two they will try it.

Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Austin on

Finger foods would be great. Be sure to check with the school to see if anyone in the class has airborne peanut allergies. I recommend that you pack the foods in such a way that he is able to open them himself.

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S.T.

answers from San Antonio on

Cucumber circles, bell pepper strips, hummus to dip them in, pasta salad, PB&J, sunflower butter(sold at super Target) sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, berries, orange slices, apple slices, unsweetened apple sauce, milk box, soymilk box, cheese stick, crackers, mini-brown rice cakes (kosher section of HEB)...

The LL Bean lunch boxes are indestructible. I run them through the washer each week.

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W.C.

answers from San Antonio on

I don't know how old your littl one is, but I love this lunch box.
http://www.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?kw=To-Go-Ware-Stain...
If he can operate the fasteners, stainless steel is safe, green and everlasting. It can be decorated with all kinds of stickers too.

Walmart was selling these as well. They are recycled from juice boxes, very cute, very safe and environmentally friendly too
http://enozoblue.amazonwebstore.com/Lunch-Box-Made-from-R...
Finger food are a good idea too. Again this has a lot to do with the age of your preschooler, but baby carrots, apple slices (soak them in lemon juice to keep them from turning brown), raisons, trail mix, granola, sandwiches in all kinds of shapes (I suggest getting alphabet cookie cutters from Hobby lobby will make learning SO much fun)Rollups (sandwich fillings on a tortilla rolled up)are good too. It is easy to sneak in veggies to the rollups.
I suggest freezing the juice or water and using that as your use pack. It will be thawed by lunch time.
And of course don' forget the nakins with little mommy-drawn-pictures or real photos in the box for him to find at lunch.
Have fun and I wish you and your little one the best of luck and happyness in your new adventure

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

The soft material boxes are best, they don't hurt as much when swung around. Get one of the little pillows that will freeze. It will keep his drink cool until lunchtime. As for the food...what does he eat at home? PB&J has been a lunchbox staple for years, Lunchables come in varieties of meat, crackers and cookies. Microwave a weiner slightly, put it in a bun and place it beside the frozen container. Juice box or a small bottle of water, but no milk. Always give him a snack of goldfish or snack crackers. Any of the breakfast bars are good. Chex Mix is fun to eat. Cut up apples will keep OK, but I do not suggest bananas as they will turn black when closed up in a dark lunchbox.

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H.H.

answers from Houston on

Finger foods probably would be good. Most places don't allow peanut butter because of allergies. My kids don't go to preschool, so I'm not sure of suggestions, beyond finger foods (like veggies and ranch, cheese and crackers) and sandwiches. I've got a great roasted veggie spread for sandwiches if you think your LO will eat it.

As far as "safe" lunch boxes, The Laptop Lunch bento boxes are made of safe plastic. They are a very environmentally aware company in California. I used one of these to take my lunch when I worked. http://www.laptoplunches.com/

We have the Munchlers from Built NY, and I use reusable snack bags and sandwich wraps instead of plastic baggies. The Munchler lunch boxes are safe and very cute to boot! My kids have these and we take them on park outings, zoo outings....totally safe and no wasting of paper bags and baggies! http://www.builtny.com/showPage.php?pageID=1611

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J.W.

answers from Houston on

My son loves lunchables & Capri-Sun in his lunch.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

search flickr.com for great presentation ideas. kids like fun shaped food. i searched bento , lunch, school lunch was ick. but got great ideas.

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L.S.

answers from Sherman on

I bought a Laptop Lunch for my daughter and it works great! http://www.laptoplunches.com/
They are all about waste-free lunches and protecting the environment. The order comes with a thick booklet of lunch ideas. It is easy to make completely organic lunches with this set and their ideas.

K.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Check out EasyLunchboxes at www.easylunchboxes.com. This clever solution to the lunch-packing chore is the simple two piece EasyLunchbox container: The bottom has three compartments to hold an entree or sandwich and two side dishes. The fitted lid covers all three compartments in a snap. No more mismatched plastic container pieces to keep track of or wasteful baggies. Fits perfectly inside the roomy EasyLunchbox custom carrying bag. And there is still space for a drink, ice pack and more. This is the most affordable lunch-packing solution on the market. You'll be amazed at how much faster, 'greener' and easier lunch box packing will be! FDA approved. No BPA, phthalates, lead, vinyl, or PVC. Safe for dishwasher and microwave. Visit www.easylunchboxes.com. Press release here: http://tinyurl.com/yjwk4c4

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E.W.

answers from Houston on

i use laptop lunches (can be found at laptoplunches.com) for my kindergartner and 2 days/wk mdo 4 year old. it is extrememly useful re portion control and healthful lunch ideas. good luck

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J.O.

answers from Austin on

The one thing I'd caution you about is **NOT** to send anything containing PEANUT products without checking with the pre-school first. Some have VERY STRICT no-peanut allergies.

Also check to see if they limit the COLOR of juice allowed. They may not want colors that may stain carpeting.

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T.E.

answers from Houston on

Depending on what your child eats, there are lunchables that have small crackers, meat and cheese. You didn't say how old your child was, but if she/he needs small pieces, they make a JR. type lunchable that is small pieces of meat and cheese.
Be sure to ask the school if peanut butter is allowed b/c a lot of schools are not allowing Peanut butter any more due to allergies.
Also, remember to buy freezer packs to keep stuff cold in her lunch box.

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

There soft sided lunch box's out there, they will sometime also have one of those frozen things that will keep things cool before lunch.I put in cheese sticks, raw veg. with a dip even dips for fruit. There are lots of choices pick the things that he likes to eat and will eat.

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L.M.

answers from Houston on

I hate lunchables, not healthy at all. I felt like a bad mom constantly sending ham and cheese sandwiches, no variety. My little guy, a 1st grader now, loves ravlois and spaghetti-ohs. So, I got a short thermos (used for soups and the like). I get the little cans, heat them up really well in the morning, pour them in the thermos, and off he goes. The food is still warm at his lunchtime. I feel so much better sending him with a "hot" meal than constantly sending the same old cold lunch.

T.C.

answers from Austin on

Noodles in fun shapes like spirals or wheels are a good finger food, if your child doesn't mind them cold.

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