If you are tired of your child returning from school with an uneaten sandwich or an untouched container of food, the problem may not be with the food you are packing. It may not make sense that your kid doesn’t eat the food that he or she asked for the night before or during breakfast. You may be concerned that your kid is filling up on junk food on the sly or has problems with his or her appetite.
Chances are your child is not asking for a specific sandwich he or she then doesn’t eat to be passive aggressive, but there may be a factor that isn’t related to the actual food. Perhaps it is time not to overthink the actual lunch menus but to consider the lunch boxes.
Why a Lunch Box Is Important
You may dream about a scrumptious BLT for lunch one evening only to feel uninspired by the results. If you take your BLT in a brown bag for lunch, the sandwich has had to survive a long commute in a hot subway, bus or car and three or four additional hours of work time before you actually get around to eating the BLT. Once you peel off the plastic wrap, you may be greeted with soggy bread, warm mayonnaise, wilted lettuce and smashed tomatoes. The only thing left worth eating the sandwich you dreamed up last night is the bacon.
If you would have packed your BLT in an insulated lunch box, you may have avoided the overly warm mayonnaise and the spoiled trimmings. Looking for the right kind of lunch box made of certain materials can allow you to enjoy sandwiches and salads that are as fresh and tasty as those you prepare at home. The secret to encouraging your kid to eat his or her packed lunch is to find the right lunch box to keep food items at a reasonable temperature and to maintain freshness.
Selecting a Lunch Box
When choosing a lunch box for your kid, pay attention to features and aesthetics. It is worth investing in a tote that is insulated to keep the food warm or cool and prevents the growth of bacteria. Look for protective features that prevent spilling and leaking. You can also find boxes that have extra storage space for different kinds of containers and features that allow you to clip the lunch box to your kid’s backpack.
If your child is not eating a lunch he or she specifically asks for, it is not likely your kid is playing an elaborate prank on you. Food tastes much different on the plate than in the plastic wrap, and it can be a challenge to keep packed lunches fresh and appealing. Talk to your child about why he or she is not eating lunch and have your kid help plan lunches and pick out his or her lunch box. Look for a box that has a bright design and is easy to carry. A lunch box should be insulated, prevent food spoilage and be easy to clean daily.
Dorothy Boucher says
I have a couple of daughters that make there children food for school as she does for herself for work. She just finds her children eat healthier.
@tisonlyme143
Debbie P says
Thanks for the really great tips.
Jessi Housel says
Thanks for the tips, my daughter will be getting a packed lunch this fall and I wondered how to find the best one (so many out there!) ps that sandwich looks amazing!
Sarah N. says
Great idea! I will be using this in the future 🙂 thanks
Mary Gardner says
These are great tips. I definitely agree to talk to your child about why they don’t eat their lunch if that is an issue.
Marilyn says
Great tips and ideas. Thank You.
Marilyn
Christine Weary says
Thank you for the suggestions. I
Pat F says
I always like to pack fruit as a choice of a snack. My son likes apple juice or milk and I add a bottle of water as well.
Esperanza Gailliard says
I will usually always get the kids insulated lunch boxes. I find that they are much better at keeping things the right temp.
Marilyn says
Thank You for the ideas and suggestions.
Marilyn
Diana Penn says
Good Ideas
Stella Methvin says
Awesome, love new lunch ideas and these look amazing!! Hungry now LOL
Josie Rice says
I also think it is important to think about how easily you can disinfect them. I think the cloth/soft ones are much harder to keep clean. I try to go for ones that are plastic or coated in a sort of plastic material.
Marion says
Thank you for these terrific ideas and suggestions.
Marion
Pam Flynn says
This was very informative. I will tell my daughter for her daughter.
Jacquelyn Cannon says
I would love to buy a lunch box for my grandson. He would appreciate the special attention.
Marion says
This comes in handy when traveling.
Marion
Kristin C says
I have a picky eater – thanks for the suggestions
Mariyn Legault says
Besides spill proof I find we need containers that are easy enough for the kids to open without spilling.
Marion says
Thanks for the tips.
Marion
Shelley P says
That BLT looks so delicious! Great tips. I look for extra storage space for different kinds of containers as well so I can keep food items separated especially for sandwiches so the bread doesn’t go soggy 🙂
Sue E says
I liked my kids having their lunches in lunch boxes or a good thermal bag. I wanted to make sure, as best as I could, that their food wasn’t smashed, wet, the bread ripped, etc. I know lunch can be a highlight of a child’s day or could pickup the rest of their day. I have known kids to throw out their lunches and waste food. That is a BIG pet peeve of mine!!
Good review!!
Lana simanovicki says
I never think of these things this is advice I need to remember when many my kids lunch
Liz M says
Your initial discussion of the BLT got my mouth watering, but then the warm mayonnaise… the tomatoes… it broke my heart.
However! I will now not forget the importance of the lunchbox for my sons.
LeeAnn Foster says
This was wonderful advice that I have never really thought about before!
Shelleyb says
Great suggestions! kids can help shop for lunch items & help pack! Appreciate food safety– keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold!
Nancy Burgess says
Thanks for the great tips.This will make lunch much more enjoyable.
Jerry Marquardt says
I would like to thank you for the tips and pointers on keeping the kids well nourished. The information contained herein will be so useful.
Nicole Colletti says
Great info! Thanks!
Victoria Scott says
Ugh. The leftovers in my daughter’s lunchbox each day is discouraging. I will definitely apply these tips!!
Rebecca Blodgett says
Food definitely tastes different after it’s been in a lunchbox for a few hours! One thing you can do if your child complains about soggy sandwiches is to use butter on the inside of the sandwich before putting things inside it.
Mary Gardner says
Thanks for the tips. I agree kids like to carry a lunch box that is bright and is something they like.
Lisa Coomer Queen says
There was a lot of great information here. Thanks so much! My grandson is the worse about not eating his lunch.
Lynne B says
My daughter isn’t in grade school anymore. She hated bringing lunch during middle school. She brings her own lunch in high school. She is picky so whenever I prepare her lunch, it’s always something I know she’ll eat.
tammy smith says
this receipt looks good
Holly Thomas says
This is the reason I bought my husband a insulated bag.
Dana Matthews says
I try to be so very careful when packing lunches. I choose an insulated bag for the very reasons you cited. Would never want my babies to get sick over something I could prevent.
Marsali A says
This is great info! Thank you! Bento boxes are so sweet
John Smith says
These lunches look pretty ideal!
Eric V. says
Thank you for the tips and advice!! 🙂
DENISE LOW says
Thank you for the information.
Erika C. says
Thank you for sharing this post, I agree with having the right lunch box that prevent spills!
Yvonne Delgado says
Great advice. My kids are homeschooled, but they do need to take lunches to classes they take sometimes. I think they would love a bento box type lunch box
Kristin C says
Thanks for the great tips
heather says
Thank you for the great tips the kids love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch the most.
Marion says
Thanks for the tips.
Marion
Sally Wilsey says
My Granddaughter loves PB&J sandwiches with no crust or Bologna and Cheese with no crust. I always ask her what she would like for lunch.
Sally Gearhart says
I’ve been having some of these issues with my youngest. I’ve never thought about the type of lunchbox being an issue but makes perfect sense! My little man is picky too. Thanks for the tips, very helpful.
Mary Dailey says
I’ve always wondered which lunch boxes are best for keeping foods cold or hot. Thank you, this was very informative
Marion says
Great advice.
Marion
christina moore says
That looks great, I would love this for my lunch
Sandra Watts says
I like those Bento boxes they have out too. They are really neat and fun. That sandwich posted looks amazingly good.
Mia says
This really makes sense to me because I would not want to eat cold or soggy food either.
Lana simanovicki says
This is really good advice thank you