Packed lunch for teenage girl

[feebeedeebeedoo]

We have a teenage student from Spain coming to stay with us for a few weeks. Just been told we'll need to provide a packed lunch most days 'of a suitable size for a teenager'. Now I know what my 2 year old DD has for lunch but, realistically, how much would you expect a 15 year old girl to want/need for lunch?

Sandwich, crisps, pudding.

That's what I used to have (and still do as an adult!)

You could chuck a chocolate bar or some fruit in there too.

Well, an adult sized amount of course! Blimey. It's not rocket science.

Get a selection of stuff in and let her make her own - that’s what I’ve done with exchange students in the past. You find out what they like/don’t like and if you’ve got them for a while then take them shopping!

Same as what You would have I expect?

Sandwich/pasta, fruit and a drink?

Will depend entirely on her personality and food preferences though.
Do you get any info before you meet her?

Mine makes her own but she has a sandwich or tuna mayo pasta, a cereal bar, small croissant, fruit,crisps and a small cake.
She is out by 7am though and tonight due to cadets won't be home until 10pm

The same size as you would like.

I would send: chicken and lettuce sandwich, carrot and cucumber sticks, KitKat, apple, bottle of water.

Vary with different bread or salad or pasta instead of sandwich, protein can be tuna, ham, cheese, peanut butter, olives/cherry tomatoes/radishes in place of carrot/cuc, mini cake/granola bar instead of KitKat, pot of blueberries/raspberries instead of apple.

I would include a mini anti bac gel too.

Sandwich/wrap/pasta salad
Fruit
Additional veg like carrots/tomatoes
Maybe crisps if they like them
Nuts
Cheese
Chocolate/biscuit

Are we talking 13 or 19, big difference in appetite in my experience.

I think it might depend on how long they have to survive on the packed lunch. If they are out 10am-4pm for example, then sandwich/wrap/pasta pot, snack/fruit and drink sound fine. If they are out 8am-8pm for example, then an extra snack or two would probably be appreciated.

Shop bought meal deals tend to be sandwich/wrap/pasta pot, snack/fruit and drink. YHA packed lunches are sandwich, drink, snack and fruit.

Thanks for the helpful responses. Might not be rocket science but as others have pointed out, appetites can vary. I do have a 13 year old step daughter but she can eat for England and can certainly eat more than twice what I'd have. Useful to hear from others who've had students. Not had any before and was wondering if I should be providing anything particularly Spanish for her?! She'll be out of the house 7.30am until 6.30-7.00pm. All I know is name and age and that she doesn't have any allergies.

I was going to get her to do her own lunch and have bread, wraps or pittas, tuna, egg, cheese, ham and salad for fillings. Got fruit, cereal bars and crisps. Probably worrying unnecessarily as the DSD is always well fed and watered when she's here but then she'd have no qualms in asking for more or helping herself. Conscious that this girl is only going to be here a short time and might not feel comfortable enough to say if she's hungry.

Aldi is great for continental style foods, I’ve started off there for sliced meats, cheese, those little brioche breads, chocolate bars etc - no complaints as yet!