Packing School Lunches For A Picky Eater

As much as I'd love to pack a lunch with all the things I want my picky eater to eat and say "you get what you get"...unfortunately, the better half me just won't allow me to do that.   Chloe starts kindergarten next week.  I've spent the summer creating school lunch ideas that will knock her socks off.  They are Chloe tested and Chloe approved.

Chloe loves lunchables.  Mostly because she loves ham and she loves cheese.  Plus, there's the neat packaging concept that has the kids begging for the pricey meal concoction.  Then, through the power of Pinterest, I discovered "create your own lunchables".  Why didn't I think of this on my own?  Brilliant!  Obviously, presentation is everything!  If I just made a sandwich put it in a baggie, she'd shun it.  Take the same ingredients and separate it military style, she's happy.

Grab yourself a disposable sandwich container.  Use disposable or silicone cupcake wrappers to separate the container into 4 sections.  Then, fill each section with food. Trying to hit all the food groups can be challenging.  Here is a list of ideas.  Select 1 from each group.

STARCH & PROTEIN

Turkey & Cheese Sandwhich
PB & J
Mini Bagel Pizzas
Peanut Butter Bagel
Tortilla & Cheese Roll-Up
Ham & Cheese Roll-Up
Hard Boiled Eggs
Tuna
Cheese, Meat & Crackers
Muffins
Hot Soup
Protein Pancakes
Grilled Chicken Strips & Pita
Nut & Cereal Trail Mix
Hummus & Pretzels
Bagel & Cream Cheese

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Cucumbers
Carrots
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Pickles
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Strawberries
Grapes
Apples
Watermelon
Blueberries
Raspberries
Apples
Peaches
Cherries
Melon
Pineapple
Oranges
Tangerines
Bananas
Dried Fruit
Canned Fruit
Applesauce

SNACK & TREATS

Cheese sticks
Cereal
Granola
Go-Gurt Yogurt
Fish Crackers
Pretzels
Baked Chips
Nuts
Pudding
Popcorn
Veggie Straws
Rice Cakes
Granola Bars
Graham Crackers
Trail Mix
Sunflower Seeds
Cookies
Brownies
Rice Crispy Treats
Fruit Snacks

DRINKS

Flavored Water
Milk
100% Juice
Lemonade
Capri Sun
Water

Keep lunch cold by freezing Go-Gurt Yogurt or a Capri Sun.  You can also create your own ice pack by wetting a sponge and putting it in a ziplock baggie.  Freeze them and place in lunch box.