Daycare Lunch Ideas

My 4 year old is a picky eater, and he refuses to eat the cold cut lunch (chicken cold cuts and bread) provided at daycare about once a week. Daycare asks that we send in lunch for him on those days. We used to give him a supply of mac and cheese cups, but his old teacher gave them to him too much - all of a sudden he didn't like any of the lunches provided - and so he burned out on mac and cheese. Recently I had some Lunchables in the fridge to send in, but I feel like these really aren't healthy (I have a feeling he eats the cookie more so than the lunch). I do sometimes just pack him a lunch, but I don't always know when cold cut day is coming, so I want something on hand that I can easily send in. Any ideas other than easy mac and lunchables? maybe something a little healthier?

Daycare Lunch Ideas

I’ve only ever had luck with bagels and mini pizzas or pasta in a thermos.
Fruit on the side.

Mine doesn’t eat anything, either, unless it’s pizza, pasta or full of sugar. She will eat fruit though so I make sure I send her with extra fruit every day (they give fruit at school, too).

Re: Daycare Lunch Ideas

A lunchable is no less healthy than the cold cut sandwiches they serve at daycare- it's cold cuts, cheese and crackers- so if he will eat that and it's easy stick with it- maybe send in a side of fruit or something.

Re: Daycare Lunch Ideas

Mine is a carb lover too - bagels and pasta are his go to, but never thought about sending them in. Maybe I could freeze a bunch of bagels and then send them in when needed with some fruit.

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I do a thermos w pasta/bagel bites/chicken nuggets.

Sometimes cereal for lunch (individual cereal and milk w ice cubes to stay cool in thermos).

I’m going to try to make chicken fried rice.

Bento boxes with cheese, cold cut of choice (but now we have to cut that out), fruit, cracker/pretzel

Daycare Lunch Ideas

Does he eat yogurt? That would be an easy thing for them to have on hand for unexpected days he needs something. I give Greek yogurt with crackers and fruit for a super easy lunch.

Re: Daycare Lunch Ideas

Is there any way you can get a schedule of the cold cut days? That's a tough one! My go to lunches are:

-PB Sandwich (I know this may not be an option due to allergies)
-Mac & Cheese
-Pasta (Any kind really, I sent DD in with chicken alfredo today. Sometimes I even do Lo Mein if we had chinese the night before.)
-Chicken/Rice
-Mashed Potatoes/Chicken
-Chicken Nuggets
-Chicken Quesedillas
-Ravioli
-Sausage/Eggs
-Waffles/french toast sticks
-Mini bagel with veggie cream cheese
-Roll with butter

They're not all super healthy but I try to balance it with the snacks...

-Yogurt
-String Cheese
-Sliced Fruit
-Whole grain crackers
-Goldfish
-Fruit Snacks
-Veggie Straws
-Pretzels
-Apple Sauce
-Yogurt Drops (the baby ones, she loves them )
-Cereal
-Jell-o

ETA: All the hot food goes in the Thermos (Funtainer) and it stays pretty nice. Sometimes the mashed potatoes don't hold up well- I like mine very creamy and they get a little goopy by lunch time.

Message edited 10/17/2019 2:03:34 PM.

Re: Daycare Lunch Ideas

My DD has a bento box which may look like a lot of work but really not - she brings lunch from home 2 days a week, and while at first I tried to vary it, she really just likes the same thing in there:

Hummus
Whole grain crackers
Cheese
3 kinds of fruit or veggies

It could be worse, and it's easy to keep the things on hand for that and fill the sections. She enjoys eating it and it's mindless to prepare!

Daycare Lunch Ideas

With the bagels (or bread in general), you can cut them and then freeze them. When you take them out of the freezer in the morning, just put the cream cheese on and put it in the lunch bag. By lunch time, it's defrosted and ready to eat.

Re: Daycare Lunch Ideas

Homemade food - the most delicious and healthy food - you can make frozen meatballs, and prepare them directly before eating.... Using beautiful children's dishes, various lunch boxes and
and top-mom's choice: best walker for carpet
will help you while feeding your baby.

Re: Daycare Lunch Ideas