Lunch ideas for school

[Anonymous]

hello parents

Can you please share different healthy ideas on packing a good lunch for kids. Any thoughts on the lunch that kids can buy in FCPS.
is it healthy? i just went to the website and it says that its all whole grain, has good amount of protein, reduced sugar and sodium,
please share your views.

Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

My son buys lunch about 2-3 times a week and bags it the rest of the time. Our school allows parents to eat lunch with your child whenever you want. I've gone in several times throughout the school year and I find the lunches are actually pretty good and healthy. Lots of veggies (that the kids actually eat), whole grain bread, not tons of salt. I think the pizza is even on whole grain bread.

[Anonymous]

My experience has been that the lunches sound pretty good on paper but are not that appetizing. I let my kids buy up to two times per week, and they often will not fill that quota. I got one of those thermos food jars that will keep warm homemade mac-n-cheese as well as things like soup, home-made chicken nuggets, and even mini-eggrolls. They also will eat almost any raw vegetable if I give them a container of peanut butter or lite ranch dressing to dip it in.

[Anonymous]

I've been to an FCPS lunchroom a few times, and the food was so gross as to be almost inedible. I'm not very picky, either. The steamed broccoli was good but the rest was disgusting. Whether it's healthful or not is another question. My DC has food allergies so we pack every day.

[Anonymous]

My kid hates the lunches offered by the school, so we are packing everyday. If he changes his mind I will let him buy lunch every once in a while, but based on what I saw when I visited last year, I think he will keep packing.

[Anonymous]

My son has allergies so I pack everyday. I rotate "hot" and "cold" lunches. Sandwiches are usually PB&J, the 'hots' are usually chicken nuggets or fish. I always put three sides of fruit and veggies. Usually cucumbers and tomatoes, sometimes broccoli and bell peppers for the veggies and whatever is in season for the fruit.

[Anonymous]

I've eaten at the school before and the cafeteria food is actually good....for kids food. I'm comparing this to the pizza/chicken nuggets/mac and cheese/fries that a chain restaurant would serve. If your kids have eaten white bread and american cheese their whole life, then they will not like it because the schools use a lot of whole grains which takes some getting used to. Overall, it still cheaper than packing a lunch and healthier (if you are packing chips, and a bologna sandwich).