Inexspensive lunch ideas?

Question

We no longer qualify for reduced lunch, yet don't make enough to afford paying for full price. We plan to make Kool-Aid they can take in a water bottle for drinks, and hot chocolate in a Thermos on cold days. What HOME MADE lunch ideas have you tried?

***NOTHING prepackaged, as that could end up costing as much as the school lunch.***

Answer 1

Here are some healthy, inexpensive and rather simple lunch/food  ideas to send your kids to school with.

Sandwiches:

    * Peanut butter and jelly

    * Peanut butter and apple or banana slices

    * Peanut butter and grated carrots

    * Nut butter sandwiches on small crackers

    * Nut butter and jelly on a whole grain bagel

    * Almond butter and bananas

    * Peanut butter with sliced bananas rolled up inside a flour tortilla

    * Hummus, shredded carrots and celery rolled up inside a flour tortilla

    * Hummus on whole wheat bread

    * Hummus with tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce

    * Hummus with sliced grapes

    * Hummus with grated carrot

    * Hummus with sliced & sautéed mushrooms

    * Leftover pasta or grain dishes in a wrap

    * Cucumbers or tomatoes and cream cheese with sprouts in a wrap

    * Mayonnaise mixed celery and peppers

    * Cream cheese and jelly sandwiches

    * Avocado mashed on crackers

    * Roasted red pepper with tomato and cream cheese

    * Egg salad in a pita pocket with lettuce

    * Chicken salad

Warm lunches:

Heat these up in the morning and pack in a thermos.

    * Leftovers

    * Bean and veggie soup with toast fingers to dip in it

    * Rice and beans, with shredded cheese on the side to mix in

    * Pasta and marinara sauce

    * Frozen peas sautéed in a bit of olive oil and garlic powder

    * Canned chickpeas sautéed in a bit of olive oil and cumin

    * Canned chickpeas and tomatoes sautéed in olive oil and basil

Cold Meals:

    * Ziti or multicolored finger food pasta with grated cheese and tomato sauce for dipping

    * Chickpeas, green beans and macaroni (mixed together, no sauce)

    * Hot dog wrapped in biscuit dough and baked (Pigs in a Blanket)

    * Baby potatoes and carrots, cooked whole, with dip

    * Falafel

    * Baked white or sweet potato 'fries' with cubed burger and ketchup to dip

    * Taco salad - nachos with chopped tomatoes, guacamole, shredded cheese and other toppings

    * Quesadillas - cheese with refried beans and whatever veggies are handy

    * Pancake with fruit spread to dip

    * French toast cut into bars with maple syrup, jam, or applesauce for dipping

    * Cold pasta salad - use leftover vegetables, vary the shapes/colors of pasta and the salad dressings

    * Brown rice or whole wheat couscous based salad

    * Kidney or black bean salad

Snacks and Sides:

    * Fresh fruit with dip (cream cheese mixed with juice concentrate or preserves)

    * Fruit salad

    * Dried fruit

    * Banana

    * Raisins

    * Applesauce

    * Apple slices with peanut butter to dip

    * Apples, cut in half, cored and filled with peanut butter, make raisin eyes and pretzel legs, then wrap in plastic wrap, or a container

    * Ants on a log - spread peanut butter or cream cheese in celery and top with raisins

    * Carrots, celery and pita bread triangles with hummus for dipping

    * Fresh veggies and hummus

    * Celery and carrots with peanut butter to dip

    * Broccoli with dip

    * Baked chips

    * Peanut butter spread on whole wheat crackers

    * Nuts

    * Trail mix

    * Granola bars

    * Dry cereal

    * Yogurt

    * Cheese cut in cubes

Drinks:

    * Juice boxes

    * Bottled water

    * Warm apple cider in a thermos

    * Herb tea in a thermos

    * Cocoa in a thermos  

Answer 2

Well there's nothing wrong w/ a good PB&J sandwich or ham sandwich if the kid doesn't like peanut butter.  Fruit is a good side (cut up applies, oranges, cantaloupes, etc.).  My mom usually just sent us with leftovers from dinner (spaghetti, chicken and rice, soup).  You could do hot dogs w/ mac & cheese!  Hm...

Answer 3

I bought small thermoses for my girls and they took left overs that I heated up on the stove so it stayed warm. Also soups and salads in the thermoses.

It really helped us to get rid of the chili/spaghetti,  taco meat etc that was left from dinners and they enjoyed the warm lunches.

Answer 4

it would have to be sandwiches. Ham&Cheez, PB&J. But if they have access to a microwave i would suggest Ramen Noodles, yes pre-packaged but really cheap.

Answer 5

Hm... how about those "Easy to make" meals, like microwaves.. wait.. that's prepackaged..

Hm... I guess, homemade is best.

Sandwiches - Just a sandwich.

Salads - Grilled chicken mostly.

Some small snack - like 2 bags of chips or something.

I tried.

Answer 6

You really need to do the math before planning on packing lunches..

the cost of bread, lunchmeat, cheese, chips or other snack.. Applesauce or apples or some type of fruits add up.. I found out it was cheaper for me to purchase my childs lunch and it be hot and healthy rather than trying to pack a lunch.. You can not pack one for less than $2.00 a day.. it just doesnt happen unless your child eats very little..

I looked at Peanut butter at over $2.00 a jar.. Jelly at over $1.00 a jar..

Lunchmeat the cheapest is bologna and it is at least $2.00 a pack.

Cheese at $2.00 a pack..

applesauce is 2.00 a six pack sometimes more..

apples are at least 3 -4 $ a lb..

Talking about Kool-aid.. the sugar and kool-aid packs are expensive if you look at the actual cost..

I see where you are coming from but I would look at the cost of buying the extras and the cost of just paying for the lunch.

I just paid for the lunch for the peace of mind that the lunch was fairly healthy, warm and not all that bread which is not good for a child..

Hope this helps.. Good luck..

Hope this helps..