Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sending Him Packing

As the school year rushes up upon us, we are definitely taking a new tack. Because the elementary school lunches are just not appropriate for Joey (he has put on a ton of weight!), we are sending in packed lunches and breakfasts this year. He will buy milk at school.

So we are searching for ideas. Joey's entire daily calorie intake should be 1400-1600 calories, so we need breakfasts around 350 calories and lunches to be around 450-500 calories. Also, we want his total daily carb intake to be less than 200g, and with our family history, maybe no more than 180g. So 45g (3 servings) at breakfast, 60g (4 servings) at lunch, give or take. He needs to have a serving of protein at breakfast and two at lunch.

So far, we have cottage cheese and fruit and yogurt for breakfasts. I wish he ate eggs again. We're going to have to try to get that back into the picture.

For lunches, I could roll veggies in cheese or lunchmeats. I'm hoping he'll keep eating broccoli and sweet potatoes for me. I like to get him eating nuts, too. PB&J is a fine standby, though both boys have been liking those at dinner (and I'd rather go heavier at lunch, and keep the light dinner.) I wish he ate lettuce, that would make things a lot easier. :P

Anybody got any great ideas of delectable foods that can be packed for school? I doubt we have access to either a fridge or a microwave. :(

And as you can see from the timestamp, I am losing sleep over this.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about hard boiled eggs? Organic ones are actually really healthy and they're easy to transport.

JoyMama said...

Individually-wrapped low-fat string cheese?

Cold soup -- like gazpacho -- is probably right out of the question for Joey's palate but thought I'd mention it... Does he eat warm soup? Would a thermos do the trick?

We've been trying to work around a nut-free school policy here, and that ups the degree of difficulty quite a bit.

Usethebrains Godgiveyou said...

I wish I could think of something but I can't. Maybe banana chips...dang, I just went and looked and I've taken off the fat/calories info.

Anyhow, what I want to say is work on the eggs. They are very good to "stay with" a person longer, decreasing hunger.

abfh said...

Beef jerky is good for protein and easy to pack.

Niksmom said...

@bfast - vanilla yogurt w/cinnamon and berries. does he like granola? you could send a granola bar once in a while.
@lunch - how about sandwiches made in tortilla wraps? You might be able to sneak a little shredded lettuce in w/some grated cheese.

does he like hummus? you col do hummus and veggies for dipping.

beans? will he eat beans at all? maybe a small side of 3-bean salad or something w/fiber and protein.

what foods will he *always* eat? safe/preferred textures? use those as building blocks. you might have to start with some experiements at home then start sending them to school.

PBJ is a good staple to at least get him used to the idea of taking his own bfast/lunch. then you can expand on variety as you go.

ghkcole said...

apples with honey on them
Celery w pb and raisins
Merengues for special treats
Dehydrated fruit
Rice cake w honey
Gazpacho
Stir fried green beans
Grilled chicken strips w dipping sauce
Snap peas and low fat dressing
Lettuce cups with ground chicken
Low fat quesadillas
Broccoli raisin salad
Carrots with lf guacamole
Lf chili in thermos

I know it is hard but I know you can do it. If we can manage gfcf anything is doable.

Anonymous said...

Baby spinach leaves instead of lettuce?

I've been sending my hubby to work with trail mix which helps to keep his hunger at bay. Instead of using nuts we make it up using seeds they are low GI and keep him going (my daughter is nut allergic so no nuts for anyone in this house).

kristi said...

I have no answers. My son has so many issues with food and will not eat much at all. He usually takes a lunchable. Some days he will eat in the cafeteria. He weighs 78 lbs and carries all of his weight in his tummy. He has to wear husky clothes!

The Scrivener Collider said...

Look in to bento box menus and recipes. Unique, interesting lunches from our neighbors to the far east. No, you don't have to make Asian food; it's the concept of making cold, tastful food to go that's unique.

Me, i lived on a sandwich, a handful of chips, and a yogurt for 12 years of school.