Mom Hacks – Sandwich-Free School Lunch Ideas

Neither of my kids really like to sandwiches in their lunch bags. If I send one to school with them, I am guaranteed it’s just out for a day trip and will be back home with them, untouched, after school.

They enjoy a freshly-made sandwich at home but complain that the crunchiness of the vegetables and the temperature of the cheese and meat leaves much to be desired, four hours later. Needless to say, I’ve become very creative in what I send to school for them to nosh on during the day. Pinterest has been a huge help to me, and so has crowd-sourcing friends on Facebook and acquaintances on Twitter.

Here are a few of my go-tos:

• cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cut carrots, celery, cucumber
• hummus or tzatziki dipping sauce
• cheese cubes
• naan, pita, or crackers
• fruit, whole or cut
• California rolls
• leftovers – rice dishes, pasta, pizza all do well the next day
• frozen yogurt tubes (the regular kind gets watery)
• deli salads (quinoa, tabouleh, pasta salad, cole slaw), but not a green salad unless the dressing is on the side!’
• hard-boiled eggs

What about you? Have anything you’d add to the list?

Featured image photo credit: Andy Dean/Thinkstock

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.