For all those moms who have been through this already, my son is going to school for the first time, SK.
I am starting to wonder what I can pack for his lunch and snacks that is nutrious and give him energy throughout the day.
Firstly, breakfast: he doesn't like cereal, so what else can I give him, besides toast, to give him a energy boost and keep him going until lunch time?
Next, what can I pack for snacks and lunchtime? Is soup too difficult and cumbersome to give for a 4yr old? Any great sandwich ideas?
Any good ideas out there?
thanks
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thanks for the great ideas. Getting so nervous, just want to get everything to be a smooth transition. I would hate it if he was starving because I packed the wrong thing!
PC insider lil booklet...it has lunch ideas...
[url]http://www.presidentschoice.ca/FoodAndRecipes/Editorial.aspx/id/270[/url]
i once sent my oldest to JK with soup and well the heat of the soup made the thermos really hard to open...they had to call the custodian to open it...lol...he used to like to take hamburgers...ya that's what i said...lol...up here in the north country...the kids are allowed to take peanut butter to school...not sure how they work that one...i think the kids with allergies...if there are any...eat in the office...must be fun for them...but my lil guy is happy to take a slice of pizza, nutella, peanut butter, pasta, mac & cheese, cheese sandwiches, grilled cheese, stuff like that...pizza ofcourse being his favorite... :D ...my older guy is going into grade 3 so that would be any help to you...but when you meet the teacher for the first time...ask her if they have a ''snack program''...DS's JK class would take turns bring in a snack to share for the class...it actually works out good cuz then all i have to pack is lunch and a morning snack...every tuesday and thursday different kids would bring in a snack to share...usually stuff like cheese and crackers, orange wedges, apples (the teacher would slice them in class), popcorn...the kids always loved it when it was my guys turn..the teacher would ask for ''healty snack'''...well me not being one to follow rules to well...would take in cupcakes decorated in spring time colours, cookies, animal crackers, gummy bears and worms...lol...stuff that would rot there teeth and get them all hyper for the teacher...whenever i would get there with the snack...the teacher would always say out loud...''I wonder what Mrs. jenjen brought for us today''...lol...she actually didn't mind it...she always said there was never anything leftover...now that i'm done blabbing...i hope i helped you out a bit... :D
For breakfast, my kids will have ego with almond butter and a little jam, oatmeal with apple sauce and brown sugar, cottage cheese with whole wheat toast, scrambled (we call them humpty-dumpty) or hard boiled egg, cereal with milk or yoghurt (I add grounded flax seed and nutritional yeast as well as EFA oil) and whole wheat english muffin with cream cheese. As for snacks, I usually send my daughter with fruit or veggie and some crackers. I believe all schools are asking for peanut/nut free snacks. Some snack ideas: yoghurt, cheese and crackers, veggie sticks with dip, fruits, crackers or mini bagels with philadelphia cream cheese, home made rex-mix (I am not sure if it’s called that but I usually mix different kinds of dried fruit, cherrios and salt free pretzels), raisins, cherrios, goldfish crackers (trans fat free). I have no idea for lunch as my daughter goes all mornings. I know it’s going to be hard next year since she eats soups for lunch, but I will think about it once we get there.
HTH
julvero
pastas are a favourite with the wee ones. I remember stew being my favourite to bring when I was in Kindegarten. Sandwiches get boring fast, unless he has a special favourite. Left over pizza, or a home-made personal size pizza is popular and still good eaten cold.
I think things to avoid for messiness are any container they have to force open. Lots of kids end up WEARING their yogurt for lunch. Forgoing the individual packages and sending things in your own containers are a good idea.
Some schools forbid juice boxes (because of the squeeze 'N squirt factor).
Carrots and dip are healthy for a snack and actually get eaten. Crackers and cheese (cut into cool shapes if you have time for such frivolity) are good. My kids like raisins (I don't know why though...ick)
Check your school's policy on Peanut Butter and other nuts. Many schools now have a NO NUT POLICY because of a growing number of kids with serious allergies. I can't stress enough how important following that rule is. If your school is extremely diligent in enforcing it, your little guy may have to go without eating if his lunch/snack breaks the rule.
Take him grocery shopping with you and point out some options and let him decide. Kids are much happier to eat if they've got something they've asked for.
Good luck!!
kipper
If he isn't a breakfast kid try making fruit smoothies for him. Frozen fruit, yougert, banana orange juice in the blender whip it up and he can drink that. Things that look like what they would get at McDonalds english muffin and a scrambled egg and cheese to make a Egg Mcmuffin most kids will eat that. I think soup may be hard for him to handle it may be to hot in a thermos. Snacks make a dried fruit mix with nuts and seeds put in a small bag and he can munch on that.