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The number one way to know what's really in your food - and how highly processed it is - is to read the ingredient label.
There are some products that you just know are total junk food without even seeing what's inside like Doritos, Coca-Cola, and pretty much any Little Debbie Snack. Then there are others that I don't think are so obvious (to the average shopper), for example... Cheese and crackers? Peanut butter and jelly with fruit? All white chicken strips with a smoothie? C'mon, you have to admit those combinations sound more innocent and not nearly as bad as a Swiss Cake Roll.
It's no secret that these are some of the combinations packaged up and sold as Lunchables. I can totally see the attraction to buying these "lunches" for your kids. There is no question that they are convenient for the adults and desired by (most) little ones.
But, at what point do we stop letting the benefits of convenience outweigh the importance of our children's health?
I know we are all busy. Let's face it though, we all have the same 24 hours in a day and it's up to each individual to prioritize what is important in their own life. I don't think one Lunchable is going to put anyone's health over the edge, but please tell me that we can all agree this is not what we should be feeding our children on a weekly basis.
Let's take a look at what's inside those Lunchables!
Lunchables Contain...
Ingredients you know are bad:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Hydrogenated Oils
- Artificial Flavors
- Mechanically Separated Chicken
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
- Sodium Nitrites
Ingredients you do not cook with at home:
- Sodium Diacetate
- Potassium Chloride
- Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
- Monocalcium Phosphate
- Thiamine Mononitrate
- Monocalcium Phosphate
- Calcium Propionate
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- BHA and BHT
Ingredients that are mysteriously evasive...probably for a reason:
- Flavor
- Natural Flavors
I also find it interesting that the ingredients for Lunchables used to be listed on their website - because I saw them there with my own eyes earlier this year - but when I went to "copy and paste" the ingredients for this blog post they had strangely disappeared. Clearly the Lunchables people don't want us parents spending too much time thinking about this stuff. So I took the liberty to type them up for you (below) straight off the package.
Lunchable 1: Chicken Strips with Smoothie
Out of the three lunches highlighted here, this is the one that took me the longest to replicate. But (to make things more manageable) you could prepare the chicken nuggets and smoothies in big batches ahead of time and store them in the freezer. You can get the "knockoff" divided containers I used online or at Target or Walmart.
Lunchable Brand Ingredients:
Fruit Smoothie - Water, Strawberry Puree, Banana Puree, Apple Juice Concentrate, Orange Juice Concentrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Fruit & Vegetable Extract For Color.
Breaded White Chicken Strips - Chicken Strips - White Chicken, Water, Potassium Lactate, Modified Cornstarch, Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphates, Carrageenan, Sodium Diacetate, Lemon Juice Solids, Flavor. Breading - Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Yellow Corn Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Wheat Gluten, Egg Whites, Whey [From Milk], Spices, Caramel Color, Salt, Paprika [Color], Onion Powder, Extractive of Paprika, Celery Seed Extract. Batter - Bleached Wheat Flour, Food Starch-Modified, Yellow Corn Flour, Dextrose, Flavor, Garlic Powder, Extractives of Paprika, Monosodium Glutamate, Caramel Color. Seasoning Blend - Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Bleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Egg Whites, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Spices, Natural Flavor, Browned In Soybean Oil.
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies - Sugar, Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid), High Oleic Canola And/Or Palm And/Or Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cornstarch, Leavening (baking Soda And/Or Calcium Phosphate), Salt, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin - An Artificial Flavor, Chocolate.
Ketchup With Starch Added - Water, Tomato Paste, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Sucrose, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Modified Food Starch, Soybean Oil, Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives), Dextrose, Onion Powder, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Spice, Natural Flavor.
Homemade Version Ingredients*:
Fruit Smoothie - Bananas, Peaches, Raspberries, Kale, Milk.
Chicken Strips - Chicken Breasts, Egg, Butter, Breadcrumbs (Unbleached Whole Wheat Flour, Malt Extract, Yeast, Sea Salt), Paprika, Garlic Powder, Parmesan Cheese (Pure Cow's Milk, Salt, Rennet), Sea Salt.
Dark Chocolate - Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa, Raw Cane Sugar, Vanilla Extract.
Ketchup - Tomato Puree, Sugar, White Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder, Spices.
*Organic ingredients were sourced when possible. Not all ingredients in the "Homemade Version" are technically 100 Days of Real Food approved, but are still far superior to the store bought version.
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Lunchable 2: Ham and American Cracker Stacks
Call me old fashioned, but (in an ideal world) I think everyone's lunch should contain some sort of fresh fruit or vegetable. So I took the liberty of adding organic grapes to this one.
Lunchable Brand Ingredients:
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies - Sugar, Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid), High Oleic Canola And/Or Palm And/Or Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cornstarch, Leavening (baking Soda And/Or Calcium Phosphate), Salt, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin - An Artificial Flavor, Chocolate.
Cooked Ham - Water Added - Chopped and Formed - Smoke Flavor Added - Ham, Water, Contains Less Than 2% Of Sodium Lactate, Potassium Chloride, Modified Cornstarch, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Ascorbate, Flavor, Sodium Nitrite, Smoke Flavor.
Pasteurized Prepared American Cheese Product - Milk, Water, Milkfat, Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Contains Less Than 2% Of Sodium Citrate, Salt, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid As A Preservative, Cheese Culture Enzymes, Oleoresin Paprika (Color), Annatto (Color), With Starch Added For Slice Separation.
Crackers - Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vegetable Shortening (Soybean Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil With TBHQ And Citric Acid Added To Help Flavor), Sugar, Leavenings (Baking Soda And/Or Monocalcium Phosphate), Salt, Whey (From Milk), Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Enzymes.
Homemade Version Ingredients*:
Dark Chocolate - Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa, Raw Cane Sugar, Vanilla Extract.
Organic Ham - Pork, Water. Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Sea Salt, Honey, Cane Sugar, Celery Powder.
Cheddar Cheese - Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Cheese Culture, Rennet, Annatto Color.
TJs Whole-Wheat Wafer Crackers - Whole Wheat, High Oelic Safflower Oil and/or High Oelic Sunflower Oil, Salt.
Grapes - Grapes
*Organic ingredients were sourced when possible. Not all ingredients in the "Homemade Version" are technically 100 Days of Real Food approved, but are still far superior to the store bought version.
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Lunchable 3: Pizza with Pepperoni
A lot of people seem to think of pizza as "junk food," but if it's made with 100% whole-wheat crust, organic cheese and sauce, and accompanied by a "real" vegetable then what's so bad about it? I say dig in and, if you are a pepperoni fan, treat yourself to an organic version (Applegate makes one) on occasion.
Lunchable Brand Ingredients:
Pizza Crust - Wheat Flour (Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Whole Wheat Flour), Water Sugar, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Yeast, Vital Wheat Gluten, Mono- & Diglycerides, Salt, Xantham Gum, Calcium Propionate, Sorbic Acid, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Enzyme.
Pizza Sauce - Water, Tomato Paste, Sugar, Contains Less Than 2% Of Modified Food Starch, Garlic Powder, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Citric Acid, Dried Basil, Sea Salt, Potassium Sorbate Added As A Preservative, Xantham Gum, Natural Flavor.
Pepperoni Made WIth Pork, Chicken And Beef - BHA, BHT And Citric Acid Added To Help Protect Flavor - Pork, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Beef, Salt, Contains 2% Or Less Of Pork Stock, Spices (Including Mustard), Dextrose, Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Oleoresin of Paprika, Flavoring, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Nitrite, BHA, BHT, Citric Acid.
Pasteurized Prepared Mozzarella Cheese Product - Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Water, Milk Protein Concentrate, Salt, Cheese Culture, Whey Protein Concentrate, Sodium Citrate, Milkfat, Sorbic Acid As A Preservative, Enzymes, With Cellulose Powder To Prevent Caking.
Homemade Version Ingredients*:
TJs Whole-Wheat Pita - Whole Wheat Flour, Water, Honey, Yeast, Sea Salt, Ascorbic Acid.
Pizza Sauce - Tomato Puree, Oregano, Salt.
Pepperoni - Pork, Sea Salt, Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Dextrose, Celery Powder, Spices Paprika, Paprika Extract, Garlic, Lactic Acid Starter Culture.
Mozzarella Cheese - Cultured Pasteurized Part Skim Milk, Salt, Enzymes.
Carrots - Carrots
*Organic ingredients were sourced when possible. Not all ingredients in the "Homemade Version" are technically 100 Days of Real Food approved, but are still far superior to the store bought version.
Full Disclosure: I clearly had to purchase Lunchables in order to write this blog post. While taking the photographs and making the "knock off" versions I allowed my children to sample everything you see pictured here. I hope to raise children who don't just avoid highly processed food "because mommy said so," but instead because they realize it is far inferior. My older daughter didn't really like most of what she tried (and now knows what this stuff tastes like!), but my younger daughter, on the other hand, would eat anything and everything I put in front of her...including these. That is why I don't buy this stuff. If it's not around it is rarely ever an issue. Always a work in progress around here. :)
Brooke says
Thank you for this post!! My son asked for a lunch able because all of his friends have them. I said I could make his own and I'd look into it. We'll, you just gave me everything I need for mix and match lunches all week! He will LOVE a treat of chocolate ;)
Ashley says
Great post! The homemade pizza lunch is my daughters favorite!
Jennie says
Do you get any push back from the school for sending 'candy' in the form of dark chocolate? I've been thinking about letting my kid take dark-chocolate covered almonds to school, but don't want to get any hassle for sending 'candy.'
I agree, of course, that the dark chocolate is better than the chocolate sandwich cookies in the Lunchables. Thanks for the healthy lunch ideas!
Julie says
I love the dark chocolate covered almond idea, but you should first check with the school to see if it's part of the nuts they ban due to allergic reactions.
Jennie says
Thanks, Julie--good point. But we don't have a nut ban of any kind at our school.
Jenifer says
The district my kids' school is in has very strict guidelines for what can be shared in a classroom setting and what can be sold at the cafeteria, but no restrictions as to what I can send with my child for lunch or snacks, other than no nuts. (Nut free school) The teachers have requested only dry foods for snacks and no candy.... but that is just for the snacks in their classroom, not what is packed in lunches. (My son's teacher shared with me that she had a child bringing large bags of Skittles in for mid-morning snack and she had to nip that in the bud for obvious reasons!) Basically, I can send an organic or homemade cookie or a small piece of chocolate with my kids' lunches and no one cares. Lord knows, that dark chocolate is MUCH better than Red Kool-Aid!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Nope, a little dark chocolate isn't frowned upon. :) ~Amy
Lina says
Hello and thanks for the info you share with us. Can you share a recipe for home made "cold cuts"...we dont eat pork so turkey, chicken or beef slices would be great as we are avoiding commercial grade luncheon meats but kids love them (heck I love turkey sandwiches too) and they are convenient for school lunches. Any tips would be appreciated. We can do this!
dina says
my son JUST started to try lunch meat and wanted a lunchable. at 10/$10 it seems like a deal but with all the processed crap I decided to make my own too. I use home made chicken strips and fresh roasted ham or turkey and such, now if I could get him to eat a fruit or veggie we'd be all set!
Laura @GnotP says
What a great idea for a post. This is a great example of how to take something ordinary/highly processed and make it way better (maybe not perfect). And even better, it is very manageable for a parent, and the kids barely would tell the difference. My daughter would love this. Kudos to you!
Mary says
Do you work outside the home? We don't all have the same 24 hours in a day. So what should I give up?
Laura @GnotP says
Mary - It is hard! I work outside the home too ... and have settled on just doing the best I can with the choices I have. In other words, if I can only make it to one regular grocery store, find the best thing I can, by doing "Mindful Label Reading". One time saver I recently started is sharing a lunch with coworker ... 2 days a week I don't have to worry about my own lunch. Maybe the same idea could be with another parent at your kids' lunch table - it rarely takes 2x as long to make 2 lunches as 1, and you could trade off? Good luck!
Britt says
I don't understand why you're so negative about this? It's just a suggestion--a way of being innovative about healthy kid lunches.
Mary says
Not being negative. Just want to know where I can squeeze time in. I'm reading this article at work - haha - would never get the chance at home.
Meghan says
I know people are very busy but most of the options given here are not really time consuming. Cutting some lunchmeat and cheese into slices and putting it into a container with crackers and grapes... what could be easier? Also, no one is claiming that it is as easy as buying a lunchable. What should you give up? I think we all have a few extra minutes a day that we waste or could re-purpose. Me? I waste at least ten minutes a day on Facebook or Pinterest that I can use to prepare a healthy meal. I started trying some of the 100 days of real food crockpot recipes and find they actually free up time I would have spent cooking. (Ex. today my husband made the pork carnitas by browning a piece of pork and putting in the crockpot with a jar of salsa-- this all took the same amount of time it took for me to pour coffee and cut up some strawberries for my morning cereal.) The amount of extra time it takes is negligible (in my opinion) compared to the benefits of eating less processed food. But that is all up to you.
Emily says
It's all about what you give priority to. Lisa has stated before that she does put a lot of time into preparing food for her family.
I can whine and complain all I want about how I don't have enough time to do things, but I "make" time to watch TV every night - obviously I'm putting TV before food preparation.
How much time do you spend on the internet? TV? Chatting on the phone? Reading a book? You may have more time than you realize, you just have to think about what you consider more important.
Beth says
Mary
I am sorry you feel that this is so time consuming. It just takes some planning. I am a medical student with four children and one on the way and we manage to pack healthy lunches. It really only takes me about 5 min every night as long as I have an organized grocery list for the week.
Just a thought. :)
Good Luck
Amanda says
Mary, I completely understand your frustration. i feel like i have little to no time to spend with my family now that we've started eating healthier. but, i've become really motivated about it, which is why my family has kept it up. and i've gotten my husband involved as well! so that gives us more family time together- preparing meals. personally, i don't blame you for being defensive. there are some relatively judgmental comments that have been posted (not directed at you or anything), so i would feel somewhat defensive too. but we are all glad you are here and taking the time to learn.
also, feeding a child lunchables does NOT make someone a bad parent. physically/mentally abusing a child makes someone a bad parent (among other things)- just to keep things in perspective.
Ginger says
Mary, your worth it and your health is worth it. Starting a new habit takes work, then it becomes the "new normal." I have to remind myself of this everyday as I struggle with motivation to exercise. Also,
I am motivated by watching family members age well and some who don't. I don't want to be in the "don't" category:-)
Jordan @Growing Up Natural says
Wow... what an fabulous way of showing just how gross lunchables are. My daughter is only two and not in daycare or anything else but it's never too early for me to learn how to pack her lunches for the future! Thanks for this awesome post!
Heather says
Thank you for all of the work you do. I am trying to do better with preparing my children's meals. I recently began a new journey of being gluten free because of some health issues and it's helped me so much! I wanted to know where you find pepperonis like the ones you listed above. I really do enjoy them but I know the store-bought ones are horrible! Thank you again. God bless.
Mindy says
That is amazing. Thank you for this. Also, that Little Green Pouch is amazing!! We buy our kids (2 and 11 months and my husband eats them too lol) those to keep in our diaper bag when we go out. They are so expensive though. I will have to buy some of these!! Thank you!
Aubrey says
just curious, do your kids eat the chicken nuggets, pizza, etc cold? or are they able to heat their food at school?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Aubrey. Yes, they eat them cold. Lisa uses ample ice packs. The school does not provide a place to heat lunches. ~Amy
Meg says
Hi Lisa!
Maybe this is a silly question, but do your kids eat the lunchables at room temp? Do you stick an ice pack in their lunch bags to keep everything cool (esp the chicken tenders)? I'm just not sure my kids would eat foods that are normally "warmed", cold...hmmmmm. Any thoughts?
Emily says
https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/08/29/real-food-school-lunch-faqs/
Jill says
I absolutely LOVE your YUMMY homemade Lunchables! We have done this for years as my kids THOUGHT that Lunchables were the ultimate lunch treat (especially on field trips)and felt like they were getting the short end of fun lunches. BUT once I "caught on" to how to make them LOOK awesome and cool they LOVE their lunches NOW. Even my high schoolers!
Now, all the convenient re-usable containers are THE BOMB! Love that smoothie pouch!!! LOVE!
Marnie says
Do you make your own breakcrumbs or did you use some you bought? If they were bought what was the brand. I can't find any without soy in it and sometimes I don't have time to make my own. Thanks!
Shallon says
I make mine from a french loaf sold in my grocery bakery. It IS made with enriched white flour, but otherwise all the other ingredients are "real".I sometimes air dry it, and sometimes put it in a low oven. Then I put it in my food processor and I have (mostly) real bread crumbs. I tried it once with Great Harvest Bakery Honey Whole Wheat, but it was very hard when dried and didn't make as nice of crumbs (got a few big chunks) - fortunatly it was only a couple of heals I did not a whole loaf :-) Really, any bread you eat will probably work - great use of the heals that most don't like eating.
Cindy Mitchell says
Thank you for sharing this. My son is lactose intolerant and for very obvious reason can't have store bought Lunchables, but at times has talked me into buying them and just not eaten the cheese. The reason he wanted them was because a friend at school had one in his lunch and he wanted to try one. Even after trying one he really didn't like them all that much. But I can do it this way and put foods in that he likes and that he's not allergic to!
Jen says
What brand of pepperoni do you buy and where do you get it?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there Jen. Lisa get her peperoni at Earth Fare: http://www.applegate.com/products/natural-pepperoni. ~Amy
Amanda says
In the past, I would let my daughter purchase her lunches at school. This year I have begun packing her lunch every day. I am not at 100% natural and whole foods, although the less ingredients I can’t pronounce, the better. I steer clear of obvious and overly processed foods as much as possible. So far she has just wanted ham and cheese on 100% whole wheat, a veggie with ranch dip, and a fruit salad...every single day. I’m afraid she’s going to get tired of it VERY soon, so I’m excited to see these ideas! Especially the pizza one. She loves those lunchables, but I only buy them for the kids once in a blue moon for a treat. I’m off to surf your site some more for school lunch ideas!
Lori says
Thanks, Lisa, for all the inspiration! My son started kindergarten this year. In order to combat the "I want what _____ has in his/her lunch!", I've been giving him a choice of things he likes, using your site as inspiration. Today he has pizza toast and apple slices, with a granola bar for a snack. I really enjoy packing his lunch, and you have done such a great job in making it easy. I have your list of snacks posted to the fridge for mornings where I am at a loss for what to pack. One day last week he said, "Mama, thanks for making me things I like. It fills my bucket!"
Amy says
That's so sweet. It's the best when they actually appreciate the hard work that goes into lunches!
Kat says
Thank you for this! So timely, as my 8 year old has been complaining so loudly that he doesn't get Lunchables *ever* - can't he have it just once in a while??? I tried to tell him we could make our own version, but I think this article with the lovely pictures will be way better.
Rebecca says
Question on the #1 homemade -- I must have missed "chicken" in the chicken strips ingredients. Did you use chicken?
Lisa says
Oh my gosh - yes! Thank you for pointing that out. I've added Chicken Breasts to the list (that I got from the farmers' market).
Samantha Peyton says
Yours LOOK way better too!! I ate those things as a kid and they don't even taste good. Thanks for sharing this!
Danielle Kyle says
This is a good demo for real American Moms to view. Our family is strict traditional, but so much of America isn't ready to make that kind of a change so quickly.
I understand subbing dark chocolate in the place of the obscene amount of desserts offered to young children. But wow, how are we going to break the trend that a treat/dessert is necessary for all occasions.
We eat rapadura, raw honey, maple syrup and etc.. But communicating this cause and effect problem of daily sugary treats, to the rest of the population continues to be a huge hurdle.
Good job on this posting.
Nicola says
I would also love to know where to get Pepperoni that has no BHA & BHT! Thanks
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi. The peperoni that Lisa used is: http://www.applegate.com/products/natural-pepperoni. ~Amy
Kathi says
This information makes me stop and think about what I eat now. Thank you for the reminder that what the food industry, is feeding us is not the way to go....additives to extend the shelf life... are poison to our bodies. I no longer have school lunches to pack, but just being conscience of what we eat daily ourselves, will help to keep cancer, and other diseases away....We are working on a garden plot at this time, and are hoping to have many more fresh vegetables and fruits to bring to our table soon....thank you for this website....keep up the great work and congratulations on being such a wonderful Mother to your own girls!
Natasha says
I love this - my kids are always begging me to "make a Lunchable like ___ has at school!" because they know I won't buy them :) Thanks for doing this post - lots of great ideas! And I love those containers - I had lunch with my two oldest today and I noticed their noodles with olive oil had leaked all over their lunch bags - you said these containers are leak-proof? We will have to try them!
Jeanna says
Hi there, just wanted to say that while we do not do 100% unprocessed food I do use your website for inspiration. I always pack my daughter a lunch from home and I love seeing the ideas you come up with. :)
Mimi says
THANKS FOR THIS POST!! I just made homemade pizza lunchables last week. I made 18 little pie crusts out of white whole wheat flour and froze them for future lunchbox lunches. My daughter loves the store bought ones but I only let her buy ONE when she goes food shopping with me. She likes the homemade ones and has no problem taking them to school, but if it was her choice she'd be buying the storebought ones. :/
Ashley says
I would LOVE to know where you found the pepperoni! I have looked everywhere, but I can't find any without BHA & BHT. Since making the switch to real food over the summer, that has been one of the hardest things to give up (yes...pepperoni! Can you believe it?). We are a (homemade) pizza loving family!
Mandy says
I second Ashley - I've been making my own lunchable pizzas as an adult because I STILL love them, but don't like the ingredient list and price. I haven't found any pepperoni without BHA & BHT either, so I just load up on cheese.
Amy says
I have seen Applegate organic pepperoni at EarthFare (and Whole Foods, I would imagine), but no where else. The trouble with it is that the slices are huge! I thought about cutting them down, but then what do I do with the leftovers? Pepperoni strips, I guess . . .
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Lisa's peperoni source is: http://www.applegate.com/products/natural-pepperoni. :) ~Amy
Danielle says
I am a licensed day care provider in MA who is also a member of a USDA food program.
We have 'rules' to follow so we are reimbursed for the food we serve. At lunch we are required to serve: milk, 2 fruits/veggies (any combo), 1 meat (or alternative like eggs, etc) and 1 grain. These home made lunchables are what I have been doing for ages to meet this requirement. Kids love it and it is very affordable and nutritious .
Kristin M says
Thanks for this! My kids just said yesterday that they miss some of the lunchables, and asked if we could make some 'clean'. So, I said of course!
Jenny says
Where did you get the little zipzicle pouches? Or is it a regular sized one folded over?
Jenny says
Whoops, I see you replied to the same question in the time it took me to write mine! Thanks!
Lisa says
:)
Jessica Goodison says
Not the author. However we use the snack size ziploc bags for our homemade pizza lunchables. I buy the huge box of them at BJ's. I also use that bag for the pepperoni
Mahsa says
So simple and so much better. I too make sure that every lunch has a veggie and a fruit. Love your blog. Even though I don't do everything as 100% whole food like you do, you have inspired me to make a lot of changes and make sure most of what we eat is not crap.
Michelle Parrott says
Love this!! Where did you get the 'cupcake' type containers and the actual containers you put everything in? I'd love to have this instead of always using baggies!
Lisa says
All of my favorite lunch supplies (including the ones you mentioned) are detailed on this post: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/24/my-favorite-school-lunch-supplies/
Caity Vanderbush says
Thank you for this!! I have made my son homemade Lunchables since I started reading your blog in the last year. I love your tips :)
Caroline Thangavelu says
Thank you Lisa for this. I pack my kids' lunch but I think a lot of people will benefit from this. I believe all children should be fed healthy, good food without chemicals.
Lisa says
I agree with you - all children deserve wholesome, healthy food (at least most of the time)!
hiker says
My kids are all adults now,but growing up they got 'Momables'.We had 6 kids and needed to save money . I didn't have the containers so we used sandwich bags.The kids still brag about how much better they were and how jealous the other kids were about the time their Mom took to make them lunches every day.We were saving money and teaching them healthy eating .
Lisa says
Good for you! :)
Ami says
In your picture how is the pasta sauce packed?
Also how do you usually send condiments - ex ketchup. salad dressings etc?
Lisa says
Ami - I usually just put them in the smallest compartment of the pictured divided container (it's leak-proof), but for this I used a Zipzicle – http://www.zipzicles.com/
liz says
What is the container / bag that you have the pizza sauce in (your version)?
Lisa says
It is called a Zipzicle - http://www.zipzicles.com/. It was the most similar looking thing I had on hand to the store bought version, but you could just put the sauce right in the smallest compartment (since these containers are leak-proof).
liz says
Very cool!
I've made my own lunches ever since I can remember (and continue to do so as a working adult)... and look forward to making my sons' lunches when they go to school in a few years.
These are pretty neat for on-the-go sauces... Thanks for the link!
Pam says
Love these - my kids would like the cute little containers. Like you I believe every lunch should have a fruit and veggie component, so I have a little "formula" I use when packing school lunches (http://behealthybehappywellness.com/easyhealthy-lunch-formula-for-your-kids/) but I could easily use a similar technique and just add those extras - thanks for sharing!