Lacto-vegatarian party lunchbox

[dotmckee]

Hi

I have my daughters 4th birthday party coming up, and I would like to do lunchboxes for the kids. One of the attendees is lacto-vegetarian.

Was thinking of doing cheese, ham or jam sandwiches, a yoghurt tube, cookies/party rings a piece of fruit, and a fruit shoot. Does that sound about right? Any other suggestions?

Are there any potential lunchbox fillers that have eggs in that I might not be aware of?

Lacto intolerance is dairy, not eggs.
So no cheese, butter, yogurt and possibly biscuits/cookies

What does lacto-vegetarian even mean? Lactose intolerant and also a vegetarian?

You'd need lactose free cheese, butter, yoghurt if that's what it means

Googled it and they don't eat eggs or meat but do eat dairy products.

Ham is obviously out then for that child

I should think they mean lacto-vegetarian, not lactose intolerant. Lacto means will eat dairy, "ovo" means eggs. So, I am a lacto-ovo-vegetarian as I will eat both dairy and eggs.

I can't think of things that have egg in that you might think is vegetarian and so accetable. Some Quorn products have egg in them, so you'd need the vegan versions.

Lacto vegetarian means no meat or eggs

That sounds fine (obvs no ham for the veggie). Check biscuits for egg but they're usually ok.

As far as I'm aware a lacto vegetarian is a vegetarian who doesn't eat eggs. So all of what you wrote would be fine other than the ham sandwich. They eat everything but not meat, fish or eggs or any products containing meat, fish or eggs so just check if you use any prepackaged food but it should be fairly easy to provide food for them.

I’d double check that they definitely mean lacto vegetarian which isn’t a term I’ve ever heard as part of a real life conversation because people just tend to say vegetarian + egg allergy. In fact I’ve only ever seen lacto ovo vegetarian from the drop down menu when selecting an airline special meal. So I’d want to be 100% sure they don’t mean the child is lacto intolerant AND vegetarian. But presuming that’s all cleared up then what you’re planning sounds perfect. Just no mayo.

No quiche

Cheese strings are always a hit.

Check any sweets in the party bag are vegetarian. Branded fruit pastilles would be easy as they're vegan nowadays, or any chocolate really.
If they're four and not uber-sophisticated, a Dairylea sandwich would be just fine. There's always houmous with rocket, sunblush tomatoes and tapenade if they are. Why not make your own tapenade?
Dairylea, seriously. Other cheese spreads are available.

Just had a thought about the birthday cake - will that be egg-free or will you provide a small separate cake for this child?

A lacto vegetarian is a vegetarian who eats dairy but not eggs (I’m guessing they may be Hindu?).

I’d make it less sugary. Cut out the jam sandwich and offer something savoury, maybe some crisps/puffs in place of something sugary.

Check all ingredients. Some yogurt contains gelatine and biscuits may contain eggs.