11 yr old packed lunch ideas

[PercyPigs1]

DD has just started secondary and taking packed lunches for the first time . She's mentioned she's often hungry in the afternoon . No nuts allowed which limits some of my high-protein options. What do you put in ?

Hummus with bread sticks/veg sticks is a good high protein option.

Or babybel/snack size portions of cheese

My daughter takes a 400ml bottle of flavoured milk (made with Crusha). She actually re-uses a Yazoo bottle because for some reason it’s cooler to be drinking Yazoo rather than make up your own (much cheaper) version. Personally I’d rather she took the milk in an insulated bottle to keep it cool, but I’m sure it’s fine out of the fridge for a few hours how she has it!
In the holidays we make a large batch of these sausage rolls and freeze them. It’s easy to just defrost one or two the night before.
If we have pasta in the evenings, I make extra for a pasta salad. My dd has chicken in hers, and I loosely follow this realfood.tesco.com/recipes/chicken-pasta-salad.html
Bagels are filling. Cream cheese and pastrami is my DD’s favourite.
Falafel wraps (we use shop bought falafel and add humous, lettuce and cucumber).
Then, in addition to the milk and one of the above, dd will also take a banana.

We did a massive baking session a couple of weeks ago and now have a selection of muffins in the freezer. I think the flavours are something like courgette & feta; chorizo & red pepper; bacon & onion; banana & chocolate chip.
DD just takes one out of then freezer each evening and it defrosts over night.

What do they have for breakfast? Review calorie intake from rising to end of school.

My kids were big eaters but had porridge or oats for breakfast so very filling plus the milk protein. Then sandwich, cake, fruit, veg and were fine for lunch. If you can, buy real bread or make bread which makes sandwiches much more filling. Commercial bread is complete crap that has no nutritional value.

Roasted chick peas/broad beans are a great alternative to nuts for protein snack.

My dc make their own lunches so not 100% sure. High school age they don't want anything to fancy or faffy - just a couple of items thrown in the bag - packed lunches and the containers associated with them appear uncool 😆. Just provide types of bread and filling that's dc like plays a range of snacks to choose from. Dd doesn't take anything healthy like fruit or veg sticks and dip like she would have at primary but will eat it once she gets home so no big deal

It's not cheap but DS likes jerky as an extra snack in his packed lunch. I also do 'bigger' sandwiches (i.e. double the amount of filling he'd have had when younger) he's allowed nuts too which he does like. Sometimes a pot of hummus and smoothing to dip.

Could she take a food flask with warm food. May up protein options a bit. Jacket potatoes with toppings work well in them, but it can be quite difficult to eat the skin with just a fork so it's sometimes easier to heat at home, remove from skin then put in flask. Hot toppings can be added on top beans, chilli etc. Cold toppings, tuna, coleslaw, cheese go in a pot to be added at lunch time.
Any kind of one pot dish generally works well.
Fritata is good for protein especially if you include cheese, Chicken, bacon, chorizo in the filling. Keeps well for a few days in the fridge for a few days and nice both hot and cold.
Falafel and pita
Cheese and crackers
Cold chicken skewers

Thanks for the inspiration! Going to make some sweetcorn muffins at the weekend and have bought baby gel, breadsticks and hummus

Egg muffins protein so they're filling. You don't have to follow the exact recipe. So can also use up any bits that need using.

Flapjack
Pastry pinwheel
Half wrap
Penguin bar or something similar
Ham and cheese croissant melt
Bean toastie
Fruit salad
Cheese tomato skewer or similar
But actually the Marmalade or jam on toast wrapped in foil is the most comforting mid afternoon