What should I give dd1 for packed lunches as her main meal?

[cupofteaplease]

Bit complicated, dd1 starts school in Septmeber but will be going to dd2's nursery before and after school as they provide a drop off and pick up service. This means she will be having breakfast and tea with dd2 at nursery as I will be working full time initally and will be picking them both up at 6pm.

From what I can tell, tea is something hot, but small- for example beans on toast, pizza etc. This is because the nursery provide a home cooked hot meal at lunchtime. I could make dd1 a hot meal when she gets home from nursery, but that means she would be having breakfast, lunch, tea at 4pm then dinner at 6-7pm. Also, I think dd2 (who is a bit of a greedy guts ) would probably want another meal too, which would be too much food for her!

I was thinking about giving dd1 a main meal as her packed lunch (school does not provide school dinners)- for example, pasta with veg, couscous... then I run out of ideas. Also, I'm worried about her not having a 'proper' hot meal in winter.

WWYD? And if you went for the lunchtime option, what would you pack for her?

Is she allowed to take in a flask of soup? I used to do that, but I was in senior school by then.

What about a hard boiled egg?

Hmm, I'd have to ask about the soup, but that's a good idea!

cold chicken drumsticks also v popular
wedges of cold frittata
or sandwiches (like her mates) but stuffed really full of filling to improve the protein to carb ratio

you could always call the 6pm meal 'supper' and make it light - dd2 could just have a piece of toast or something.

Ham sandwiches but with nice ham!

Sorry couldn't resist!

Pasta or noodle boxes with chicken, egg, cold meat, peas sweetcorn peppers and dressing?

Some great ideas here- love the idea of cold frittata or drumsticks ideas.

Of course, any ham used would be super nice

So, I wouldn't be a cruel mummy to make her have her big meal at lunch time?

I used to have scotch eggs and pork pies in my lunch box as a child.

What about a pasty? If you make them yourself you can use healthy ingredients.

Don't forget you're going to have to be assembling this stuff every day. You're going to have a lot on your hands. I dread having to make packed luches for ds (he only has them in the hols, when he goes to holiday club). But then I'm horribly disoganised and rather lazy

Can't she have school dinners?

doh! Sorry - you said the school doesn't do dinners. I'll get me coat...

Don't worry about not giving kids hot meals in winter...it isn't essential. But you can always give them ready brek when you take them home, or soup etc.

I batch cook [smug] macaroni and cheese and spaghetti bolognese and a couple of other pasta meals and freeze them those IKEA bowls and then I put them in a thermos funtainer. It is much easier than sandwiches I think.