Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help with packed lunches

111 replies

CantMeatWontEat · 22/02/2024 16:28

I know it's not a real AIBU, but I am struggling.

DD12 is vegetarian (only in last 9 months) and I am struggling with packed lunches.

I'm divorced. 50/50 split. DC have school meals one day a week. This effectively means I only have to make packed lunches on two days of the week. Please don't suggest more school meals. This is the agreement with XH, daily school meals aren't in my budget, and she would probably just eat chips.

XH gives her hummus and bread whenever he does a packed lunch. So I don't want to repeat that.

She was having "chicken" wraps with Quorn nuggets in the wrap a lot (because she liked them) but became bored.

She doesn't like anything with seeds in (crackers, bread), egg mayo, shortcrust pastry (if I make quiche, the pastry is always left).

She does like crisps, crackers (fairly plain ones), cheese, olives, reasonable range of veg and all manner of sugary junk.

Is funny about bread. Sometimes loves it, sometimes hates it. Not a fan of sandwiches (hence the wraps).

I'm currently mainly doing crackers and bits but worried she will get bored. Sent a hard boiled egg today as a variation on the bits, but it has come home uneaten. Apparently, the last time I sent an egg, someone commented on it so she didn't eat it today because she doesn't want people to think she's "weird".

Now she's upset because she thinks I'm upset she didn't eat her egg.

She has some mental health struggles, and is waiting for an assessment to see what we do next to help her. She gets quite paranoid, so anything that she thinks makes her look different is a big no.

I work full-time and usually cook from scratch. Sometimes we have pizza and she takes leftovers the next day. I really don't feel like I have the time to also be making/baking other types of lunch. Especially as DS is a confirmed carnivore and complains about anything that doesn't have meat in.

Sometimes DD takes a vegetarian sausage roll, but they're expensive and she never finishes them so I'm not convinced she likes them.

I am desperate for more ideas!

I do sometimes pick up falafel if it's on offer.

Have tried leftover pasta in a flask in the past but she complains it doesn't stay hot until lunch.

Does anyone have any easy, affordable suggestions?

Thank you for reading my essay!

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 22/02/2024 16:50

Pasta salad (pesto, mayo, tomato sauces all work well)

Cous cous salad with roasted veg

Those quorn mini sausages and mini savoury eggs

Pitta bread filled with Fake chicken / falafel / halloumi and salad

Pitta bread and any other dips she likes (guacamole, salsa, tzatziki, red pepper)

Oatcakes and cheese or dips (bit more filling than crackers)

Baguette if she doesn't like normal bread. Mozzarella, olives, slow roast tomatoes etc

Original poster
CantMeatWontEat · 22/02/2024 16:49

Whatdoisaydo · 22/02/2024 16:39

Pasta salad?
little skewers with cheese and fruit on them
veggies with dips
bean salad?
tortilla chips with fruity salsa dip

Do you have a recipe for dip or is that something you would buy readymade?

OP posts:
Dogskidsdogs · 22/02/2024 16:49

Cheese savoury (cheese, onion, peppers and any other veg you fancy in mayo) with salad in a wrap/ bap

Cold cheese pasta salad

Cheese and onion roll, veg etc

Falafel, aioli and salad in a wrap

I'd invest in a decent hot food flask. My thermos one keeps food hot until tea time

Original poster
CantMeatWontEat · 22/02/2024 16:41

I have the Thermocafe (?) Thermos flasks. Tbh, even heated up first I find that lunch that leaves the house at 8 am is a bit tepid by 1 pm. Though maybe I should try another brand and have another go.

OP posts:
Whatdoisaydo · 22/02/2024 16:39

Pasta salad?
little skewers with cheese and fruit on them
veggies with dips
bean salad?
tortilla chips with fruity salsa dip

Original poster
CantMeatWontEat · 22/02/2024 16:39

idontlikealdi · 22/02/2024 16:30

Ask her what she wants? At 12 can't she make her own if she tells you what she needs in the shopping?

Your DS's need for meat shouldn't be above her vegetarian requirements, and it's usually cheaper to forgo the meat.

Edited

I have asked her, but it throws her into a panic. Though I have said today that I just want her to have a think about it.

We eat a lot of vegetarian food and I respect DS's preference for meat as much as her decision not to eat it.

It's as much about the time for extra cooking and then also having a lot of something that only one child will eat. Which is an ongoing issue because it's the same whether I cook meat or vegetarian - just a different annoyed child.

(I do actually have a range of main meal recipes that work for everyone, but packed lunches are giving me a headache).

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/02/2024 16:38

What flask do you have? My 2 dcs use the SHO flasks and the food seems to stay hot. You do have to prime the flask with boiling water before adding the food and heat everything until its piping hot.

Draft101 · 22/02/2024 16:38

We have this. I half fill with boiled water for a few minutes whilst I'm reheating pasta. Stays hot 8am- 12.30pm.

Help with packed lunches
PuttingDownRoots · 22/02/2024 16:33

My 22yo takes...

Wraps (usually cheese and ham, obviously no ham for yours!) With salad on the side
Cold pasta with vegetables in a cheesy sauce (fortunately she likes it cold!)
Salad with chicken (quorn for yours?)

Then fruit, a cookie, maybe some crisps.

idontlikealdi · 22/02/2024 16:30

Ask her what she wants? At 12 can't she make her own if she tells you what she needs in the shopping?

Your DS's need for meat shouldn't be above her vegetarian requirements, and it's usually cheaper to forgo the meat.