Our first “School Lunch Roundup” post quickly became one of the most popular pages on the blog so I thought I’d put together another one for you! For those who are newer to our site be sure to check out “My Favorite School Lunch Supplies” to see the details on all our containers, lunch boxes, thermos cups, etc. Also, if you see a recipe below that you may be interested in (like quesadillas, apple sandwich, refried beans, chicken noodle soup, etc.) just search for it using the search box at the top, right of the page. Most are on the blog, but unfortunately I’m not able to put a live link in photo captions.
Also, I’d like to make sure everyone knows about our meal planning sponsor, Plan to Eat. The start of school means getting back on a schedule and they can definitely help when it comes to the kitchen and grocery shopping. Plan to Eat is a web application that creates a categorized grocery list from recipes that you drag into an interactive meal planning calendar. You can easily import recipes from any website using their handy bookmark (similar to “pinning” in Pinterest), which helps to keep all of your favorite recipes in one place. They are currently offering a completely free 30-day trial, so you should definitely give it a try!
So without further ado, here is a summary of the school lunches that I’ve been sharing on my Facebook page:
Leftover whole-wheat vegetable quesadillas (with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo on the side), an apple/peanut butter sandwich, and a homemade cashew/pistachio/raisin trail mix
Leftover spaghetti, banana and peanut butter packet
Leftover frozen smoothies in freezie pop molds (plain yogurt/berry/milk/banana and local Swiss chard smoothies), baked whole-wheat pita chips, hummus, apples/cantaloupe and popcorn
Warm refried beans with metled cheese, cold sour cream and green tomato relish (to go on beans), oranges, AND a treat…homemade (baked) whole-wheat donuts
Cream cheese and homemade jam on whole-grain Ak-Mak crackers (one cracker had been made with sunflower butter and jam when she requested cream cheese on the rest), a hard boiled egg, and cantaloupe/kiwi mix
Oatmeal made with milk/cinnamon/vanilla/raisins/honey, whole-wheat zucchini muffin, apples & kiwi
PB&J whole-wheat pitas, mozzarella cheese stick, frozen peas, and a diced apple/cantaloupe mix
Potato/vegetable soup (premade and frozen in individual portions) topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon and a homemade whole-wheat strawberry jam pop tart on the side
Whole-wheat waffle sandwich with cream cheese and cinnamon in the middle, a cheese stick, diced papaya, some leftover crock pot chicken
A variety of sandwiches (hummus/cheese/spinach, PB&J, leftover panini), popcorn, and fruit
Leftover homemade chicken noodle soup, a whole-wheat zucchini muffin (from the freezer), and a plum
Field Day Lunch (had to be disposable): Sunflower butter & “jelly” (an organic all fruit spread) on a whole-wheat pita (from Trader Joe’s), strawberries/blueberries, grapefruit slices, Kettle baked chips and a Clif twisted fruit leather (some very rare “treats”).
Whole-wheat banana/walnut muffin, apples, deviled eggs, and a frozen smoothie pop (made with plain yogurt, berries, bananas and swiss chard leaves)
Apple/PB sandwich, leftover whole-grain cornbread, TJs raw nut/raisin packet, and fruit (mango/kiwi/strawberry)
Leftover whole-wheat cheese pizza (from dinner), a fresh organic apricot, 2 carrots, and some grapes
Triple-decker waffle/cream cheese sandwich, fruit (mango/grapes/blueberries), and a little homemade trail mix (sunflower seeds/pumpkin seeds/dried apple rings/dried mango)
Homemade tomato bisque soup (defrosted from freezer – it’s her fav), whole-grain zucchini muffin (from freezer as well), and an apple/sunflower butter sandwich
Cream cheese and strawberry jam whole-wheat waffle sandwich, oranges, and leftover spinach salad topped with cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and homemade ranch dressing
My lunch on a roadtrip (not a school lunch!)… caprese salad with pesto, popcorn, and a whole-wheat banana walnut muffin
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Please feel free to share your lunch packing ideas in the comments below!
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Great great suggestions. I love the flavors presented here and the healthy alternatives that are shared. I’ve been a big carnivore since I was a kid but found that eggplant is a great alternative in helping me to transition into a healthier eating habit. However, if I do eat beef now) grass fed beef. Anyways, glad that I found this blog.
Thank you for all your thoughtful posts. It has blessed me and my family as we work to eat healthy in tasty and creative ways. I’m so glad I found your blog!
Thanks for all of the ideas for healthy eating alternatives here, I’ll definitely have to try them out.
Is there a safe version of tofu? I know edamame is ok, but are there brands that arent overy processed? Im still new and worried about getting the wrong kind. Thanks!
Choose organic tofu, to avoid GMO soy. Tofu is made from the whole bean, unlike fake meats that use soy protein isolate.
[...] School Lunch Round-up II from 100 Days of Real Food PlanetBox, containers make it easy! [...]
Love love love your lunch presentations. And the Apple pb sandwich is brilliant. Think I’m going to try that today !
How do you pack the toothpicks in a closeable container?
Hi Maggie. I just lay them on their side and they’re fine. Jill
These ideas are so wonderful! I have slowly been eating clean and my kids lunches and snacks not so much…..I want to incorporate less processed snacks for them and stumbled on this site!
[...] with her main blog and her Healthy Kids Lunches II blog , this should set you up for the next couple of month’s lunches, if not the year, if you [...]
Can you post a recipe for the whole wheat donuts? Coulnd’t find one on your blog. THanks!!
Hi Jennifer. It’s under the donut machine on this page here…http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/#appliances. Jill
How do you keep your apple sandwiches from browning by lunch time?
Hi Jennifer. Just squeeze some lemon juice on them. Jill
Hey there! I just wanted to say that I am really happy that there are moms like you taking the time to help show other moms ways to help their families, but especially their kids, eat healthier and with portion control in mind. I am in high school and I think this is a really great site because it is so accessible! Also, I would like to let you know that I found your blog through a college’s pinterest page that thought you were doing a great job too! Keep up the great work Jill
Hi Lisa! I’m looking for a hummus and guacamole recipe. Can you help? Thank you!
Hi Jamie. Here is a hummus recipe – http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/08/04/recipe-traditional-hummus/. Sorry, but, we don’t have one to share for guacamole. Jill
Where can I buy the containers? Are they rubbermaid Bento?
Julie – Here is some information on the Bento boxes…http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/09/product-review-lunchboxes/. Jill
[...] have to check out one of my favorite blogs: 100 days of real food , and more specifically her post on what she packs her kids for lunch , as well as her post 85 snack ideas for [...]
How do you keep the fruit fresh until lunchtime? It seems like so much of this stuff would get mushy and “yucky” by the time they got to eat it.
On a seperate note, I think you are doing a great job and am so thankful for your blog. My daughter just started preschool and I have just started reading up on clean eating. I’m so disgusted by what is in our food and so motivated to make a change. Thank you for your work and for making it seem like such an attainable goal.
Hi Amber. I cut all of my fruit right before they walk out the door so that it stays fresh. For apples, I squirt a little lemon juice on them. We are so glad you are enjoying the blog…thank you for reading. Jill
Wow! This blog is truly inspiring and educational! I absolutely adore the recipes and creative ideas for picky eaters. It has really been a tremendous help!
I came across your blog while searching for a crock pot whole chicken recipe (which is cooking right now). I am going to try this out with my husband and kids. However, some of the lunch suggestions I know for a fact my kids will not eat. My daughter has a peanut allergy and my son is a rapidly growing 12-year-old. These lunches will be a mini snack for him. Any suggestions on filling lunches for preteens as well as a substitute for the nuts and peanuts?
Where did you find your flexible frozen smoothie holders.
Hi Lynne. You will find them here: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/. ~Amy
WAFFLES for sandwich bread! I LOVE this! I always use the 100cal sandwich rounds, but I want to get my kids eating less wheat flour, so I can make almond flour waffles for the bread!
I was looking for the potato/vegetable soup recipe. I made your tomato bisque soup for my family and it was a huge hit!
Thanks for sharing your recipes and ideas!! I love your website! I think I visit it a few times a day. I’m also going to try the apple peanut butter sandwich.
All well and good, but do your kids ACTUALLY finish their lunches? You never mention this point in all your posts. . .
I actually have mentioned this and even wrote a post recently that showed my daughter’s lunch after she ate it: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/04/12/school-lunch-life-cycle/
My kids usually provide input on what I pack for them, which means they eat all of it about 80 – 85% of the time.