Ideas for Lunches

W.,

My children never had the oportunity for their lunches to be microwaved or refrigerated...whether in preschool or in elementary or middle school. An insulated lunch box works best. I always go for ones with removable plastic inserts, as they are easier to clean (but much more difficult to come by).

I use a small lunchbox ice, which can cost about a dollar. They last a long time.

As for foods, I make all kinds of sandwiches...or wraps. I also give yogurt. Both my kids love salads, so sometimes I do a nice sized salad with tuna or chicken or cheese on it for some protein. I also have given small containers with hummus, with some pita for dipping. My kids help me with their "menus." We ask them on the weekend what they might like for lunch that week. We actually do not do pb&j that often. My daughter also likes cold pasta for lunch...my son would not even want to touch it (me neither)! Maybe including your daughter in the process will help you come up with other ideas!

Good luck!

how about almond butter and red raspberry jam - my favorite. It tastes richer than regular pb&j. Also you can do almond butter and banna sandwiches.

Peanut butter and marshmellow fluff :) If you are going to do lunchables i would only do it here and there. I don't buy those because they were on the top 10 list of most unhealthy lunches for kids. I think one of the reasons is the sodium is outrageous.

I do like the idea of a freezer ice pack. That way you can do tuna, chicken salad, egg salad...etc.

go to walmart and buy some lunchables. they do not need to be refrigerated.

If you are worried about food spoiling can you send an insulated lunch bag with ice packs inside? Or even an insulated thermos to keep some items warm?

Here are some ideas:
sandwich wraps with her favorite lunch meat
meatloaf
spaghetti
cut up fruit
veggies and yogurt
homemade trail mix (cereal, pretzels, raisins, etc)
rolled up meats and cheese
bagel chips and cream cheese
lunchables - store bought or homemade
mac and cheese
chicken nuggets

I agree with Lisa. My first thought was a lunch box with a little "freezie" that you put in the freezer every night. My girls use them for lunches at school all the time and they are usually thawed, but still cold when they get home from school. We have 2 that we have used thru 2 complete school years, so don't worry about paying the $5 or $6 just for the summer. If she is starting school in the fall, you can just keep on using them!

W. D Have you looked into the soft sided lunch bags that you can store an ice pack in so that it will keep her lunch cool. These are nice because they are well insulated and really help keep things cool. I always put the ice pack in a zip lock baggie, I would not put ice in because it might melt and get everything soggy. You can then pack her almost anything like chicken salad, tuna salad, cheese sandwiches, cheese and crackers, cut up fruit, peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Good luck have a great summer