a challenge: veggie toddler lunchbox variety, avoiding nuts and seeds

[MamaChris]

We are veggie. ds (2.6) takes lunch to nursery, but we have to avoid all nuts and seeds due to a child there with allergies. So no peanut butter, houmous (sesame) etc. I also try and make sure there is always some protein. At the moment he is getting cheese and pickle sandwiches most days (with a bit of veg hidden in the pickle). Any suggestions to widen his diet at all?

Oh, forgot to say, would be happy for him to take fish, but he will only eat fish fingers.

My ds isn't this age yet, and i know different toddlers eat differently (i've known some eat everything inc olives, to some really fussy, won't touch anything red. Or green. Or orange etc.) And obv i don't know where in this spectrum your ds would be. But am veggie so here are my suggestions. Some of these might want prepping in bulk and freezing. Maybe make them for a family meal and freeze extra in toddler size portions...

Home made pizza
H/m cheese pasties or pies
H/m quiche
H/m spanish omlette /fritatta thing (hide veg in these four if necessary)
H/M sort of hummous...no tahini, just bash up a can of chickpeas or any kind of bean with some olive oil, lemon etc.
Pot of creamcheese, or lumps or sticks of cheese, with veg sticks and oatcakes or breadsticks etc...basically deconstructed sanger.
Potato salad? Make with yoghurt instead of /aswell as mayo. Spuds left over from tea the night before.
Fruity couscous? Very easy, takes mins. Dollup of yoghurt or few beans mixed in for protein.
Grated carrot with few sultanas/bits of dried apricot/any dried fruit with splash of oj and olive oil.
Wraps instead of normal bread for a change...prob not toddler friendly!

Hope these aren't too many miles off the mark!

Thanks MFM, some good suggestions there. ds is fussy, but there are things (couscous, carrot, eggs) he is likely to eat. Thanks

Smoked tofu is good.

Does he like kidney beans? You can make a very nice pate by whizzing them up in the food processor 9or just mashing) with anything he likes, eg tomatoes, coriander, garlic, bit of chilli.

My DS1 is vegetarian and can't have nuts at nursery for the same reason. He likes cheese and marmite, as well as most of the things MFM suggested. Cream cheese and cucumber goes down well, and he enjoys pitta and rye bread not just the ordinary sorts. Most things are worth a try.

DD1 would have peanut butter every day if it were allowed so I struggle a little too.

DD's lunch box of choice last term was a few crackers, grated carrot, a boiled egg & huge lumps of cucumber.

I sucessfully make houmous with no tahini, it freezes well too.

DD also likes puff pastry rolls - scatter cheese, basil & tom puree on a rolled out piece of puff pastry, roll up, cut into slices, flatten, brush with egg & bake (I think she only likes them as she likes to make them iyswim)

This is a great recipe for lentil & cheese wedges from the recipe section which go down well too.

Watching this thread for inspiration for next term

You could always look for ideas on Vegan Lunch Box. (She has a book too, but there's plenty of idea-stuff on the website.

Just to say, you can make hummous at home but just don't put the tahini in and vary it by varying the bean, the seasoning, that kind of thing?

I like black eyed beans mashed up coursely with a tomato pasta sauce! Sounds odd but it's so tasty.

Also, you could make falafels/burger thingies with most type of bean and use that as a sarnie filler!

at all you folk with kids who will eat interesting foods...DS (6) has had for the last year in his lunch box: 1 cheese roll (sometimes with marmite, sometimes with honey, yuck), 1 frube, 1 tuc biscuit, 1 penguin biscuit. Apple for playpiece.
Cannot be varied at any cost. Food has to be eaten quickly in order to get out to play. Can't have anything too different in case people make fun.

Not trying to pick a fight, but can you be veggie and eat fish?

smoked tofu fried in a little oil - I usually use sesame for the flavour but could would have to use something else. I like to add a dash of tamari & chilli sauce at the end - but maybe omit the chilli for a child. Tamari & a little lemon juice perhaps?

It can go quite crispy & you could include a couple of strips in a lunchbox.

You could make hummous without tahini - perhaps greek yoghurt & olive oil to add the mositure? or sweet potato?

sweetcorn fritters are quite nice cold with a bit of salad.

M&S do a lovely pea wasabi dip if DC likes a bit of heat.

DD loves olives.

oh, thanks for all these. Prickly thistle I think my son is going to be just like that as he gets older! And no, you can't be veggie and eat fish - I don't, but as I want ds to eat more protein (apart from red cheese, peanut butter and eggs) I wouldn't mind if he did, but he will only tolerate fish fingers.

I made spanakopita (spinach and feta filo triangles) last week and DD loved them - both warm from the oven and for lunch the next day cold. Easy to make and transport and easy to eat.

I made a variation today with mashed up roasted butternut squash and feta, added cumin, cinnamon and allspice and again she loved - even easier as no faffing with the spinach.

Don't know how well either would freeze but you could make in advance and cook the next day.

Also make mini frittatas in the oven - little silicon muffin moulds are great and they only take a few mins.

Second the sweetcorn fritters, DD loves them and they also freeze well. Have made courgette versions too but they didn't freeze v well.

There are such lovely suggestions here - mamaChris thanks for not taking offense - really was just curious! When DD goes to school it'll be even worse for me as she doesn't even eat cheese, so that's that protein source gone.
Will also keep watching this thread - hoping for something that will tempt my two.

PRickleThistle, please don't be offended, I do also have a fuzzy child (due to health problems), tbh... I know it's difficult, but don't believe the thing that people will laugh if you change the lunchbox, packed lunches are far more sophisticated nowadays, than they were in our times.

I think what has worked with DS over the years is a non negotiable rule we have at home. He has to try 2 spoonfuls of whatever he says he doesn't like. If he can't eat it fine, we leave it for a couple of weeks and then try again. But normally, once he has started eating he would continue for a bit more. Taste is learned, I can assure you nobody likes beer at the first try but with a bit of practice you get to appreciate the flavour. It is the same with carrots, vegs, and other healthier stuff.

Keep trying, it is worth it.