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Need ideas for packing lunches for my daughter.

Posted: Sep 20, 2015

My daughter just started high school this year and has decided that she does not want to eat school lunches anymore. She claims they make her stomach hurt. She can't give a specific food that causes her stomach problems just all school lunches do. So fine, I don't mind packing her a lunch everyday. I'm not a big fan of the school lunches anyway. My daughter gets free lunches at school because we qualify as I'm a single mom, so I thought we should take advantage of that, but if she wants to take her lunch, I'm okay with that too.

Problem is, she is the pickiest eater. I've tried to get her to be specific with me about what she wants in her lunches. If I pack her a sandwhich, she will just pick the meat and cheese and leave the bread. If I pack her cheese, crackers, and fruit, she complains about still being hungry. Now she's decided maybe she's a vegetarian, so I thought okay, veggies and dip, but she doesn't like raw carrots or celery, not sure about cauliflower....

So is this a phase she's going through or should I just simply pack my entire refridgerator in her lunch, just so she'll eat!?!?! She's very petite and it is not uncommon for her to lose five pounds in a week if she's really active and doesn't take enough calories. So it is important that she eat! She's making me crazy!

;

Hummus, crackers and fruit cups. Hummus is very filling.(sm) - Nunya

[ In Reply To ..]
My favorite is Sabra roasted garlic, but the Tuscan and roasted red pepper are very good also.

Maybe she is embarassed about getting free - lunches? nm

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x

Mine were. - Sigh.

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nm

I've thought about that too which is why I was fine - AJ

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with her taking her lunch. Whatever she wants. I just want her to eat though.

maybe she should pack her own lunch - if shes in high school and all

[ In Reply To ..]
Its an adea.

At that age, she can and should pack her own lunch. - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
By 10th grade, she should be able to pack her own lunch. This should not be an occasion for "Lunch Diva" drama-- just let her be responsible for herself.

If her stomach hurts from school food and she won't eat the bread on sandwiches, maybe she is gluten intolerant. If she is that thin, maybe she is celiac.

There are many lunch possibilities. I had to take my lunch throughout school and still do. Started packing it myself in 9th grade.

Google "bento." Yum! Lots of ideas there.

Lunchmeat and cheese rolls (no bread). Peanut butter and cheese. PB and marshmallow fluff. PB and jam.

Wraps. Make them thin or slice them into bite-size portions. You can use romaine leaves instead of regular wraps.

Leftovers from supper are more complicated, but doable. Rice, cooked veggies, chicken or meat. Take the same and make fried rice.

Stir fry. BBQ. BLT.

Fruit salad, potato salad, regular salad.

Hummus. Chicken salad. Ham salad.

Eggs.

Whatever. Just Let Her Do It Herself.

Yes, have her make the grocery list and then pack it herself - the night before.

[ In Reply To ..]
Better yet, have her go to the store with you so she can see the options for herself (and the cost!)and get some ideas.

I made the big mistake of doing too much for my son at an age where he was completely capable and I did him no favors by doing things for him. Learn from my mistake and let your daughter take some responsibility for her own food choices AND packing the lunch herself.

Good Luck!

Yeah, you're probably right. I baby her too much. - AJ

[ In Reply To ..]
She should probably pack it herself. I'm one of those caretakers. I just start taking care of everyone without even realizing I'm doing it.

A great way to care for others ... - sm

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You can care for others by teaching self-reliance instead of making them dependent on you. One promotes growth, while the other stifles and cripples.

It's easy to do as a mom. I still want to do it, and my kids are - 35 and 30!

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xx

Yeah, but at that age it is a GOOD thing!!! - LOL

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Can you be my mom?

Yes, LOL - nm

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xx

I was thinking the same thing - xx

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If she's too good or too proud to eat the "free" meal the taxpayers paid for (it's only "free" to her), then she should be fixing her own lunch.

Does she have an eating disorder? Maybe you could - buy Boost or some kind of protein

[ In Reply To ..]
drink.

That was my first thought - see msg

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That was my first thought, an eating disorder of sorts. They can make all kinds of excuses not to eat.

Or, she could be depressed, extremely nervous and/or have anxiety. Those are appetite busters.

If this is something new, then something's going on and you need to find out what it is. If she feels close to you, she'll share.

I am all for letting her have control over her own lunches. She is definitely old enough.

I don't think she has an eating disorder. I see her eat - AJ

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at home. But there may be something else going on affecting her appetite. I will definitely investigate further.

I would give her a budget--sm - anon

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With that budget, I would put boundaries on what is allowed or not allowed and then let her figure it out. If you want to limit sweets, say only 1 box of Lil Debbie or whatever a week. If she wants leftovers from home and it is not too difficult for you, then those can be a freebie. You can also say that you require a certain number of servings of fruits and veggies. If she decides this is too much effort, then she can go back to the cafeteria lunches. I would also give her a budget for a cute or fun lunch box and some ice packs so that she can keep the lunch safe.

Personally, when I look at the menu for lunch rooms, I will say they are rather uninspired. One of my kids likes it though and with his autism, I let him because it is one battle that is not worth fighting to me. My other kids chooses one that appeals to him a week and he takes peanut butter most other days and a fruit or veggie and a juice box. He recently asked for something else in his lunch though because he is still hungry. We are working on exploring options, but it is kind of hit or miss.

I have a feeling that it's not about the food - per se

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The lunch period at school is about so much more than eating. There's a lot of social overlay. I'd try to find out what might really be going on.

Lunch for teenage girl - Rusty

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My teenage daughter also takes her lunch. we are gluten-free, so maybe all the bread and carbs are hurting her stomach, as in our case. I buy her the P2's for lunch, and also get her the Protein drinks for breakfast, some have 14 or 16 g of protein. over the weekend we put carrot sticks or whatever we can separate into snack bags, so just grab and go in the morning. I don't mind helping her pack her lunch if she is running late, but otherwise she does it herself. I help out if I drop a huge job, whatever can make the mornings flow more easily. We also peel oranges and separate them, the only thing we do not do is cut apples until that morning. I also have cut up turkey and chicken into pieces that will fit onto crackers and cheeses so she can have something besides bread. I find that the hour or so we spend on the weekend, more than is worth it during the rushed mornings.

I still pack my 10 th grade daughter's lunch. SM - SBH

[ In Reply To ..]
She is also a very picky eater. She likes yogurt. Sometimes I give her granola with it or peanut butter on a graham cracker. She likes cheese, applesauce, granola bars, fruit, fruit snacks. She will take some leftovers. Tuna is good plain or as tuna salad. Wraps made with hummus and veg is good too. I also include a little note in her lunch each day...She really enjoys it.

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