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Original poster

Lunch box ideas?

34 replies

hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 06:23

Ds will only eat ham or tuna sandwiches and I am trying to reduce his consumption of both ham and tuna.
Does anyone have any ideas that are not sandwiches? He doesn't eat veg other than cucumber either so savoury muffins, crudites etc don't get eaten nor do hard boiled eggs.
Ideas greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
MaverickSnoopy · 26/01/2019 06:40

What about wraps and bagels? Possible fillings of cream cheese or peanut butter (the only fillings my DD will eat!). My mum used to make us mini calzone pizzas when we were at school. She'd make a batch and freeze. Always felt like a real treat.

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 06:45

The same problem applies with wraps and bagels. He will only have tuna or ham.
I was thinking pizza made on a wrap. Not sure he will eat it cold though.

OP posts:
crumbsinthecutlerydrawer · 26/01/2019 06:47

My dcs have both stared leaving any sandwiches I’ve made, it’s annoying because it’s a lunch I don’t have to put much thought into. I sometimes make a load of mini quiches for ds and freeze them, put them in the lunchbox the night before and the’re fine by lunchtime. I do also do a batch of Delia’s sausage rolls to keep in the freezer and occasionally do the same with those, get some decent sausage meat though if you’re worried about the quality of processed meat, I know it’s all not great really but they have to eat something. Crackers and cheese is another one dd gets quite a lot. Our school is strict on lunches being healthy so there’s always some sort of chopped veg and fruit in their lunchboxes.

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MaverickSnoopy · 26/01/2019 06:48

Quesedillas are a favourite in our house. Good eaten cold too. Otherwise cheese and crackers? Cheese scones?

What about a chat about trying new things and going to the shop and letting him choose? Have had some mild success with this approach.

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 06:53

He will only eat cheese melted. (like me).
I have tried getting him involved and he says he will try something and then we get home and he makes him self sick because he is so worried about trying new things.
Could do plain crackers though as a side snack and maybe pasta occasionally. Or will that be gloopy by lunch?

OP posts:
jb23newmum · 26/01/2019 07:06

Will he eat pasta? I have just bought both my girls small thermos flasks and make up pasta bolognese or pasta with a tomato based sauce (blended with veg so they don’t know) . It means they get something hot as well . I haven’t tried anything else yet in them (I have read not to put rice in) but soup/noodles etc are other options

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 07:08

He will eat pasta but not sauce so may as well have it cold. Also, his packed lunch is actually for on the way from afterschool club to his sports class so is eaten at 5pm. Flask wont stay warm that long.

OP posts:
WinterHeatWave · 26/01/2019 07:25

Cold pasta salad. Potato salad? Bean salads......
I'm sure this doesn't meet the spirit of the reduction, but sausage rolls, pork pies, scotch eggs.
Quiche.
Pretty sure decent flask would keep soup hot from 8 til 5. Worth a try.
Spanish omelets?

Foodylicious · 26/01/2019 07:29

How old is he?

Foodylicious · 26/01/2019 07:30

If he eats melted cheese, can he have cold pizza?

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 07:58

He is 6. wont eat potato salad etc but I think I will try pasta and maybe cous cous.
He pulled his face at cold pizza but I am going to try it anyway. We made some on wholemeal wraps last night and he really liked it.
I currently have some cheese muffins baking in the oven too. I'll try them for lunch today and if he likes it I will freeze the rest.

OP posts:
User478 · 26/01/2019 08:13

Can he not just have ham or tuna? It's only 5 meals out of 21.

How about onigiri (Japanese rice balls)

How about smoked salmon?

Cold bacon and sausage sandwich?

What does he eat the rest of the time?

happypotamus · 26/01/2019 08:19

Pasta salad is what my DD mostly wants in a packed lunch (annoyingly, because I often get home from work at nearly 10pm and then have to start cooking pasta, waiting for it to cool, mixing other ingredients in). I don't know what to suggest for your DS, as DD has tuna and peas in mayo mixed in her pasta. Would he eat pesto? That makes a quick and easy pasta salad. Also, does he eat hummus? With cucumber sticks and bread sticks to dip in it? Or some other kind of dip?

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 08:21

Most of his meals are at school. One day at MIL who for ease ( and I have no problem with this) gives processed stuff that is quick like ham or super noodles.
When he is home all he wants is ham/tuna sandwich, tuna pasta or curry and rice. Or chicken.
I don't mind ham or tuna occasionally but children shouldn't be eating as much as he eats and I would like to reduce it and help him explore more variety.

OP posts:
Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 08:24

He used to eat hummus but claims he no longer likes it. I am going with cucumber though and he can have it plain.

Pasta salad is going to be a good option I think, but less salad.

OP posts:
Whatoflife · 26/01/2019 08:26

Give him what he'll eat for lunch while trying to expand his diet at home in preparation.

VanGoghsDog · 26/01/2019 08:44

Couldn't he have chicken and cucumber in his sandwiches now and then?

How about tinned salmon?

Why are you trying to reduce the tuna, btw?

You could tell him he can still have tuna if he chooses one salad veg to go with it, but reduce the actual tuna by about a quarter as well?

dancemom · 26/01/2019 08:46

Overnight oats?

Lostmyunicorn · 26/01/2019 08:58

I have similar challenges with a fairly rigid approach to what’s acceptable. I do crackers with cheese or ham, flask with either lentil soup and breadsticks on the side or pasta with meat ragu or with pesto. chicken nuggets (sometimes home made and sometimes not) with a wrap and some salad. Sometimes a sandwich with either ham, chicken or lemon curd (no peanut butter allowed sadly).

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 26/01/2019 09:19

He eats so much tuna some weeks. Up to 2 tins.
I would also like to offer him stuff that is a bit healthier and more variety.
I had the same sandwiches for years at school and by high school I was just binning it and binging on crap instead because I was bored.

OP posts:
Foonababoonalagoona · 26/01/2019 09:45

As someone else said he could have chicken on his sandwiches? I make up a pasta salad with pesto and add stuff that they eat for variety . You could put some chicken with the pasta. Or a drumstick .

littlemeitslyn · 26/01/2019 09:46

Cook pasta earlier 🙄

WhirlwindHugs · 26/01/2019 09:48

Honestly, I would stick to what he will eat for lunch. If he is anxious about trying new foods then a busy lunch hall is not the place to force it on him.

Try expanding food at home instead.

VanGoghsDog · 26/01/2019 09:51

Two tins of tuna a week isn't loads, and what's wrong with it anyway?

Get the ones in water rather than brine or oil. I can't see any reason he shouldn't have it if he likes it.
The ham I agree with, no more than twice a week.

Peepingsnowdrops · 26/01/2019 09:54

I think I would give him what he likes at the moment at school and sort mealtimes at home. Let him get involved in the cooking ? Don't think it sounds too bad.

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