Brown Bag Lunch Ideas-help!!

I know they're tired of sandwiches, but try buying hoagie rolls instead. That's the ONLY way I can get my fiance to eat a sandwich when we're brown bagging it. Despite the climate, it's cheaper to buy cooler-style lunchboxes and throw some freezer packs in there, this way you can keep perishables good until lunchtime. I always pack some kind of sandwich (or cold pizza, my 7 and 5 year olds LOVE that), carrot chips, yogurt, applesauce, sometimes chips or popcorn. It's always sandwich-something healthy-something fun. I also pack string cheese, clementine oranges, or fruit snacks, pretzels, etc. I bought them their own sandwich carriers (cuts down on your plastic baggie use) and they bring home the little containers; I wash and reuse plastic spoons (why not?). They have reusable water bottles, and that's what they get every day- WATER. It's free ;)

My daughter likes soup. Once in awhile, she likes to have a non-sandwich: a roll or crackers, some cheese slices or chunks, and a slice of lunchmeat or pieces of chicken You could also use insulated lunch bags with a small ice pack to keep things cold. As far as sandwiches go, have you tried using tortillas or wraps instead of bread? It seems easier to add fresh veggies and other non-typical items in the sandwich when it's rolled up (I like mine with crunchy green pepper).

Had another thought. What about veggie burgers? They come in a lot of flavors and might hold up better.

tortilla wraps
sandwich with tom. sauce, pepperoni. and cheese
crackers with cheese, peanut butter, or hummus
chips and guacamole or salsa
frozen gogurt
cold pasta with italian dressing

My kids like grated cheese in a tort or pbj in a tort.
Cold Pizza. Order too much the night before and make it last two lunches .
Celery and peanut butter.
Change the bread to rolls or fun sub bread.
Cold pasta salad. noodles, peporoni, olives, cucumbers, salami in italian dressing.
Turkey or Ham roll up with cream cheese in a tort.
Lunchables.
Top roman . ( do they have hot water available for hot choc )
Fruit salad with a roll or bread of some kind.
Hamburger or hotdog bun and cheese.

I agree with the insulated lunch sacks.

Do they have lunck sacks? The insulated kind? If so, then you can stick one of those frozen freezer packs in with it and it will keep things cool/safe. Look in the camping section at Walmart and you should be able to find them.

You could try pinwheels instead of sandwiches... instead of putting deli meats on bread, smear mustard/mayo onto a tortilla and then layer the meat/cheese on it. Then ROLL it and slice: Pinwheels! :)

Also, you can pack cheese sticks (or buy chunk cheese and make your own... just be sure to wrap tightly in saran wrap or a ziploc with no air pockets, or the edges can get hard).

This idea may make your kids feel like geeks but here goes. Pick up insulated lunch bags and some ice packs. You can also get some Thermos type bottles and pack hot soup and other hot foods.
How about having a fund raiser for the school, so they can purchase a few microwaves?

www.weelicious.com ~ healthy ideas
www.SpecialNeedsCEOMom.com

I have boys in HS too and I did the cost analysis - it is cheaper to pay for the lunch and have them pack a snack in the backpack then pack all they would eat. Just a thought.

Otherwise a frozen corn dog or chicken nuggets may thaw by lunch and be edible (my grade schooler thinks so :) The other option is Smart and Final sells mayo packets that can be applied afterwords

Good luck - mine mostly don't eat much during the day and pig out in the morning and night.

If they take a beverage with them, freeze the beverage so it works like an ice block.

I'm guessing if they won't carry an insulated lunch bag, a thermos is probably not a good idea.

Here are some other things that may work in a hot climate...
peanut butter and crackers
granola bars
dried fruit
nuts
carrot and celery sticks
cereal - my daughter loves shreaded wheat
chex mix - make your own
jerky

My 9th grader would rather smash a sandwich into his backpack before carrying a lunch box/bag also. So, when he wants to augment his school lunch, his go to is PB&J.

Since we live in the south, I get the heat thing - So, things that I carry for unrefrigerated lunch:

Lettuse wraps - romaine works well and stays crisp - with any of the following -

Sliced turkey or chicken
turkey pepperoni - it is less greasy so holds better
salami
olives or olive salad
pickles
multi colored bell peppers
shredded carrot
celery

try the flavored sandwich wraps instead of sliced bread - they add a nice flavor variety.

Apples, bananas, oranges all hold well during the day

nuts
dried fruit
wheat thins, triscuits

hummus - you can make this at home
salsa
dry cereal - I love fruit loops as a treat!!!

Good luck - it hard keeping teens interested in food. LOL