Protein lunchbox ideas

[FusionChefGeoff]

DD(4) is a protein avoider. Things I've tried which always return uneaten:

• plain / flavoured chicken chunks
• cubes of cheese / baby bell / dairy Lea
• ham
• not allowed peanut butter at school
• falafels

Things which are tolerated:

• cream cheese
• Greek yoghurt
• mini cocktail sausages
• tuna

Any ideas how I can sneak more / less processed protein into her?

I'm going to try homemade tuna croquettes later.

Forgot to also exclude:

• boiled egg
• egg muffins
• quiche
• frittata

Salmon - smoked, tinned, fresh
Prawn mayo/Mari rose
Veggie sausages
Quorn bites
Sliced beef, from the deli next to ham
Cheese and onion bites (like sausage rolls)

Don't be afraid to try stronger tastes, Eg slices of smoked cheese even if she doesn't like plainer cheese. My son loves anchovies, randomly.

Serve things in wraps. My kids will eat pretty much anything hidden in a wrap. I tend to make a kind of sauce from a bit of tinned toms, onions and grated carrot and it disguises everything.

Also I think the amount of protein children need is fairly low so foregoing protein in lunch is not necessarily an issue.

Humous
Bagel thin with smoked salmon and cream cheese (smoked salmon processed I know but not horrific).
Humous
Roasted chickpeas
Home made chicken nuggets
Bean pate
Would a food flask with hot food be an option?
Milkshake to drink?

High protein bread www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/294016025

Definitely milkshakes to drink- if you do them yourself, with real fruit, the school can't realistically complain that they're unhealthy, especially if you tell them why. Maybe add a bit of plain, unsweetened whey protein powder to it, to further increase the protein content?

meatball sandwich
cold sausages
Mexican wraps
cold chicken sandwich
coronation chicken
egg & lettuce

She’s very likely getting adequate protein from her overall diet - what does she eat in a day?
Why are you particularly concerned about her needing high protein lunches?

My dd often takes a thermos ('funtainer') with pasta and bolognese sauce, macaroni cheese, shrimp and pasta, shredded chicken with some kind of sauce and pasta... basically anything we eat at home. It's still warm at lunchtime and a nice change to sandwiches - no school dinner option here.

It's just because she eats so little protein overall I'm trying to boost it anywhere I can.

She'll demolish a plate of carbs and veg which is brilliant but will always always leave the protein!

Stupid question but how do I do roasted chickpeas?? Can I use the tinned ones and coat in oil and on a baking tray??

Oh just seen homemade nuggets - yes! Did used to do these for PFB (DD is a neglected 2nd child who's had Aldi's best since weaning ) so I'll dig out that recipe.

Fish finger sandwiches? Homemade if you have the energy for it. Smoked salmon sandwiches or salmon or prawn mayo?

What about chicken, sweetcorn and mayo sandwich?

I feel your pain. My 7yo is very similar - but fine with dinner. She lives on lunches of cream cheese sandwiches!

What about homemade pizza or calzone with plenty of cheese? Quesedillas with cheese.

Egg fried rice? Veggie fritters?

I used to cook a very thin egg omelette and roll it up in a wrap for my children.

Also quinoa is high in protein but still carby.