Moms Talk: The Cafeteria Blues

Every child has swapped food at the lunch table and eyed up those pizza Lunchables with jealously. Other kids are given money to buy lunch every day, left to the mercy of cafeteria food. 

How do you handle school lunches? Do you send your child off in a Dora the Explorer lunchbox? Or do you send them through the lunch line? 

Samantha Goswami
When my older son went to school, I started to surf web sites on what my lunch options are and also asked several of my friends. After a couple of years I have narrowed down  to a few things, deli sandwiches, breaded fish fillets, pizza pockets, pizza,  macaroni and cheese, pasta and even fried rice. I pair this up with fruit, yogurt and a cookie or mini-chocolate. And sometimes add a flavored water or juice.  I pack food that needs to be kept warm in a insulated container that I bought on my travels.

Except for the ‘branded’ pizza day my kids prefer to take their lunch from home with a few days that are exceptions. This is working well so far but I am sure like everything else there will come a phase when they want to eat in the cafeteria everyday! I would love to read about some new ideas that other mothers follow for their kids.   

Sharon Luna
Start your kids early on a healthy eating lifestyle and they will make better choices as they grow up!  While some school food has improved, some still has a long way to go.  I prefer tortillas and flat breads instead of crust less slices of bread, also I opt for whole grains. Sometimes low fat turkey just wrapped in a lettuce leaf.  Try different varieties of lettuce, red leaf and romaine leaves make good wraps for low fat turkey. One of my granddaughters' favs is low fat turkey wrapped around a pickle spear! Sides can be interesting, fruit kabobs, the ever popular "ants on a log," and veggies with ranch dressing. Pasta salads with cubed cheese are a good choice. Finish off with some yogurt or a Rice Krispy snack, low fat or skim milk or maybe some plain or flavored water! Sometimes just the presentation makes all the difference!  Cute little bowls, special baggies and of course...a note or smiley face is a nice touch!

Lisa May
My children generally buy their lunch at school. They are in elementary school, and the food choices have gotten better. My oldest is going to middle school next year. There are many more choices, but they are not as healthy in my opinion. She will need to really watch what she buys (we will probably start the year going over what she will purchase). They both love peanut butter and jelly. They would bring a sandwich and two sides form home along with water to drink. Chips, cookies, fruit, vegetables with dip, or crackers were all favorite choices. I am not one to buy many pre-packaged items. So most items they brought were homemade. I also like to write fun notes to put in their lunch or snack. Sometimes I will write a joke, math problem or 'I love you.' They always talk about these and enjoy the extra effort. 

Jennifer AuBuchon
Mine bring their lunch except for "branded" pizza day and occasional other faves like "breakfast for lunch."  We alternate between pb&j, deli sandwiches and cheese and crackers.  They usually have a fruit, yogurt or pudding, and a chip of some sort.  My son will occasionally buy a chocolate milk if his Capri Sun doesn't cut it for him.  I often feel that we're in a rut, but they don't seem to mind.  I also love to put in the occasional note.  My mom gave me "Hugs in a Lunchbox" books that are geared toward different age groups before. My kids do love those too. My son keeps his in a pouch in his lunchbox.  Only once in a while do we do the Lunchables.  My kids know that I only buy them if they're on sale, and it's usually only if they're with me to see it at the store!

Karin Jackson
Growing up, my mom was a single, working mom.  I made my lunch and my brother's every day.  I hated sandwiches, so for me it was always Franko American spaghetti or soup in a thermos.  He was fine with pb&j.  Back then, I remember milk cost a dime.  Chocolate milk meant it was Friday!  Before having kids, I assumed I'd be making their lunches, too.  My oldest daughter, however, is a terrible eater and there is just nothing she will eat consistently (with the exception of hotdogs.  Healthy, right)?  I decided school lunches would give her a chance to try a variety of foods, not to mention make my mornings go a whole lot smoother with four kids - two who like hotdogs, one who only eats pb&j, one who can't take tree nuts to school...*sigh.*  So, I have to admit, school lunches are my default.  Dare I admit that when the 3 big kids go to Stretch (where there is no school lunch), I'm usually running to the grocery store and grabbing that Lunchable at the last minute before drop off, too.  I was a really good mom before I had kids.