Anyone have any good advice on school lunches for my new kindergartner?

healthy but tasty lunches please.Anyone have any good advice on school lunches for my new kindergartner?
pbnj, teddy grahms, and goldfish with a choco milkAnyone have any good advice on school lunches for my new kindergartner?
As a teacher who sees kids throw away TONS of food (I hate having lunch duty because the waste makes me sick), my best advice is give them simple, basic stuff that you know they already like. And don't give them little packages of things that are impossible for them to open by themselves. Teachers end up spending most of their lunch duty opening things for kids, and while your kid is waiting for someone to get to him, half the lunch period is over.





I'd say it's more important to think about what they eat at home, not worry about it at school, because half the time they aren't going to eat what you give them anyway. If the kid next to them has a bag of chips, they're going to share, and your little angel won't even notice the carrot sticks you put in his lunchbag, lol!





It's also my experience that lunch time is one of the few times during the day that kids can socialize, and they spend way more time talking than eating. A lot of the kids I see, didn't have time to finish their lunch because they were too busy talking. I always try to encourage them to eat when I see stuff like that going on, but for most of them the food seems unimportant compared to getting to goof off with your best friend for a while. So, just do the best you can, Mom, but don't worry about it too much.
Here are five fast school lunch ideas that will work for kids of all ages:





1. Bagel with vegetable 'confetti'





Spread a bagel, use your child's favorite flavor, with plain cream cheese.





Then finely dice an array of sweet raw veggies such as red and yellow peppers and carrots. Sprinkle the veggies liberally over the bagel half.





Delicious!





2. Sushi rolls





Most kids LOVE California sushi rolls. The imitation crab meat is sweet, the cucumber crunchy, and the avocado makes is creamy.





If you prefer, you can roll the ';crab meat,'; cucumber and avocado in a flour tortilla instead of the rice .





Cut into pieces as you would a regular sushi roll and wrap it tightly.





3. You can use the same roll or wrap technique above with salmon or tuna salad. Tortilla wraps are fun and easy!





4. Sneak some veggies or fruit into their sandwich. Kids generally like the taste of sweet fruit or veggies, but they don't like the thought or look of them.





Try slicing thin slices of pears or apples and adding them to sandwiches. It provides great crunch--and nutrients.





For a healthy dose of Vitamin A, puree some deliciously sweet winter squash (butternut, acorn etc.) and spread onto sandwhich instead of processed mayonnaise.





5. Frito Pie





My healthy alternative to this crunchy classic is ALWAYS a hit with kids and easy to make--pronto.





Take your favorite chili recipe, with or without meat, heat it through, and send it to school in a thermos with a cup top.





In separate plastic bags, send along some baked tortilla chips and shredded Monterey jack or cheddar cheese.





Have your children arrange some crumpled crips along the bottom of the thermos cup, then add shredded cheese and top with warm chili. The chili melts the cheese, and kids adore it!





SUPER SUB





Faster than a hot dog, stronger than spicy mustard, SuperSub gives the basic hero extra special powers by adding your child's favorite fixings--sliced onions, red, green or jalape帽o peppers, pitted black olives, or sweet pickles.


1 medium hero roll


4 to 6 slices of thinly cut cheese and/or luncheon meats


4 thin tomato slices


1/2 cup shredded lettuce


2 tsp. vegetable oil


2 tsp. red wine vinegar


Salt and pepper to taste





Slice the hero roll in half lengthwise and scoop out some of the soft bread inside. Line both sides of the roll with your child's favorite cheese and luncheon meat. Top with the tomato slices and shredded lettuce. Sprinkle the surface evenly with the oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper and any special additions. Close up the sandwich, then cut it in half and wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Makes 1 large sandwich.








BOLOGNA BOAT





Bologna may not be included on most parents' Top Five Sandwich lists, but children recognize the true worth of this lunchtime standby. This version--which comes dressed as a hot dog--tastes great accompanied by a few potato chips and a pickle.





1 tsp. mustard


1 slice bologna (or turkey bologna)


1 slice American cheese


1 hot dog bun





Spread the mustard onto the slice of bologna. Top with a slice of cheese and roll them together. Place the roll in the hot dog bun and wrap it in aluminum foil. Makes 1 serving.





Tuck these in a lunch box:


鈥?Vegetable sticks with a small container of salad dressing for dipping





鈥?Fresh fruit





鈥?Pretzels





鈥?Celery sticks filled with cream cheese or peanut butter and raisins





鈥?Fruit yogurt





鈥?Pudding





鈥?Crackers--plain or with peanut butter or cheese





鈥?Cheese sticks





鈥?Graham crackers





鈥?Fortune cookies





鈥?Dried fruit





鈥?Fruit leather





鈥?Nuts





鈥?Tortilla chips with a small jar of salsa





鈥?Small bags of popcorn





Even the most devoted PB %26amp; J fans enjoy a little variety now and again. Try pairing one of the following ingredients with peanut butter for a taste twist on the classic combination.


鈥liced bananas





鈥?Brown sugar





鈥?Honey





鈥?Bacon





鈥?Sliced apples





鈥?Raisins





鈥?Chopped, pitted dates





鈥?Grated carrots





鈥?Wheat germ and honey





鈥?Fluff or marshmallow creme





PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA BREAD SANDWICH





Homemade banana bread is the secret ingredient in this twist on the old standby. Spread a couple of slices with peanut butter, and you create a nutritious sandwich that has the sweet flavor of a dessert. If you have a couple of extra ripe bananas on hand, double the recipe and freeze one loaf to have handy for future sandwiches or breakfast treats.


Ingredients








2 cups all-purpose flour


1 tsp. baking powder


1/2 tsp. baking soda


1/2 tsp. salt


6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened


3/4 cup granulated sugar


2 large eggs


1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)


1/4 cup milk


2 tsp. vanilla extract





Directions








Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a 4-by-8-inch loaf pan. Lightly dust the pan with additional flour and tap out the excess. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, use a wooden spoon to cream together the butter and sugar.





One at a time, add the eggs, beating well with a fork after each addition. Stir in the bananas, milk, and vanilla extract until combined. Stir in the flour mixture until it is just blended. Scrape the batter into the loaf pan and spread it evenly.





Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Remove the pan to a wire rack. Cool for at least 10 minutes before removing the bread from the pan and letting it finish cooling on the rack. Store the completely cooled banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature. Makes 1 loaf or about 12 slices.





OAT-DATE BARS





Children can help prepare this oaty mixture, press it into the baking pan, and cut it into chewy bars. The sweet results are just right as lunch-box fare or as a quick energy boost on an autumn hike.





Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly butter an 8-inch square baking pan. In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the dates with the water for


about 7 minutes or until they are softened. Remove the pan from the heat and cool. Stir in the lemon juice. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, walnuts, and salt.





Ingredients








1 package (8 oz.) chopped dates


1/2 cup water


1 tbsp. freshly squeezed


lemon juice


1 1/2 cups uncooked, rolled oats


1 cup all-purpose flour


1/3 cup chopped walnuts


1/8 tsp. salt


1/2 cup butter, softened


1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar





Directions








In another large bowl, using a wooden spoon, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Gradually stir in the oat mixture, reserving 1 cup of it.





Firmly press the remaining mixture into the prepared pan. Spread the dates evenly over the top. Sprinkle the surface evenly with the reserved oat mixture and lightly press it using your fingertips.





Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until just starting to brown. Let cool, then cut into bars. Makes 16 squares.
Easy finger foods that a child can pick up and eat! Cut up veggies, fruit, cheese and crackers. I would be sure that it doesn't need heating, prep to make, etc.


Let your child help select the menu and plan each day.


I recommend portion controlled snacks for treats. Also, make sure there is protein to sustain your child the entire day.


I'm a teacher and I know that the kids get hungry after lunch as well. Perhaps a little extra healthy snack, such as an apple, pretzels or cheese would be good. Juice boxes with 100 percent juice are also a must!
Sandwiches on wheat bread are the school-lunch classics. Turkey or ham usually stays the freshest in the lunch box. Add a juice box, some carrots or celery w/ veggie dip (you can get cute little individual packages of veggie dip at the grocery store), some yogurt or cheese sticks, and a cookie or an apple.
Mine is very picky and all her foods have to not touch So I have mini tupperware dishes.





Saltene Crackers in one


Slices of ham in another


carrots


banana


water bottle
Most of the kindergartners at our school like to bring ';Lunchables';. They can be somewhat expensive and even though some companies like Oscar Meyer are making healthier versions you may want to make your own version.





Cut your child's favorite lunch meat into circles using a cookie cutter. Pack these slices along with some cheese cut the same way. Include crackers, juice, a cookie or yogurt.





A lot of the students really enjoy string cheese and those ';Go Gurts'; (portable, squeezable yogurt) for snacks.





PBJ and apple dunks are very popular. In the produce section you can find little prepackaged cups of caramel and other flavors for dunking. Just slice an apple and pack with the dunking cup.





Really, it all depends on your child and his or her preference. Your child will probably come home after a few days in school and make requests based on what the others are eating. Good luck.
-p b%26amp; j, milk, apple, teddy grahams


- turkey sandwhich, fruit juice, peach, cheez its


- peanut butter and honey, water, celery, lemonade.





I hope these examples worked


it is what i had for lunch!
you could cut the tip of a skewer(to avoid accidents)and make a lunch kabob. you could layer veggies, sliced turkey,cheese cubes, anything you little one likes to eat. you could also do a fruit one as well. pineapple, berries,or melon-practically anything.


you could also start with a wrap and spread either cream cheese,or peanut butter and sprinkle raisins,or shredded carrots, or jam. you could then roll it up and slice it in about 1'; rounds and serve them ';sushi roll ups';.


the possibilities are endless with a few really fun ideas.


you could use cookie cutters on a regular sandwich to make a fun lunch too!
%26gt; PB%26amp;J w/ a banana then finish it off with a snackpack





%26gt; Tuna fish sandwich w/ a sliced apple with gram crackers





....they can wash it down with a caprisun





Making myself hungry!
my little boy likes pieces of fresh fruit , lumps of cheese, raisins and smoothie drinks
apples and other fruits are always good
turkey sandwiches, apple slices, raisins, chips, cheese and crackers, banana, cookies.
It depends on your child, since SOOO many young children are so picky, most throw away a lot, as the teacher further up stated. If your child isn't terribly finicky, here are some suggestions that I send for lunches with my 4 kids :)





sandwiches: PB%26amp; honey, PB%26amp; banana, turkey and cheese, cream cheese and their favorite veggies, BLT





rollups: refried bean and cheese, cream cheese and veggie, turkey and cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad, hummous and cucumber, cucumber and cream cheese with shredded mozzarella





fruits: plums, nectarines, peaches, cherries, grapes, apples, oranges (peel if your little one cant' do it), pears, blueberries, strawberries (just put the soft fruits in a tupperware so they dont' get squashed)





veggies: add dip to the bag if your child likes to dip their veggies..... broccoli, celery, sliced tomato, cucumber, peppers, cauliflower, carrots





small yogurts (send a spoon), puddings, jellos, mini cottage cheese, string cheese, gogurts





snacky foods: goldfish, cheese crackers, triscuits, wheat thins or the like, pretzels, croutons (sounds weird, but most kids love them!)





treats: cookie, brownie, rice krispy treat, muffin





I don't buy lunchables as they are junk and overpriced. But sometimes I send homemade lunchables to school.... baggie of their favorite crackers, baggie of presliced lunchmeat and cheese, piece of fruit, some sort of treat. It costs a FRACTION of what a lunchable does and is just as fun for them to make their own little sandwiches with their favorite meat and cheese :)
www.kidsnutrition.org/consumer/archives/鈥?





ABC'S of packing good lunch