if you pack a lunch for your toddler

somethingchangd · February 2011

What veggies do you give your toddler in a packed lunch? Ollie loves steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower, squash, roasted sweet potatoes, etc - but he won't touch them unless they're fresh and hot.

I'm doing a lot of packed lunches to eat on the go lately, but I can't find a veggie that works for him. I've tried raw carrots and red peppers (which he loves sauteed), but they were no gos. I'm trying cucumber today, but I don't have high hopes. He loves olives, but they don't really count as a veggie.

Any other ideas? We're eating 2+ lunches out a week, so I don't want to skip the veggies altogether. Thanks for any suggestions!

SeaSoul · February 2011

Cal loves cucumbers. We do avocado a lot (I realize this is a fruit). Do you think he'd eat cold cooked peas, or corn? he might eat carrots if you steamed them a bit to make them less crunchy, but still served cold. I'd cut them into thin slices vs. sticks.

Might try radishes. And crunchy lettuce pieces (i.e. romaine hearts).

somethingchangd · February 2011

He literally gags when he eats avocado. It's like the only food he outright hates. (No idea where he got that!) Corn and peas are so-so hot, so I don't imagine they'd fly cold. Radishes are an interesting idea, though - he likes spice. Thanks for helping to get my mind working!

GuitaristsGirl · February 2011

I use a little thermos for his steamed veggies (eta: to keep them a little warm). We do broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots mostly. For a *really* easy lunch I throw in some chicken/meatballs/whatever and a bit of whole grain pasta, grab the thermos, and we're good to go.

BoxTer · February 2011

GuitaristsGirl:
I use a little thermos for his steamed veggies (eta: to keep them a little warm). We do broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots mostly. For a *really* easy lunch I throw in some chicken/meatballs/whatever and a bit of whole grain pasta, grab the thermos, and we're good to go.

I was gonna suggest this. When we need to send something hot to school, I put it in one of those small containers that keep hot foods hot. It works really well. It's a small Thermos with cartoon characters on it that I got at Target.

Soon2beMrs.Sivert · February 2011

How about green bean, snap peas, pickled beets (my daughters love this), edamame, any beans cold actually, and cauliflower.

dana316 · February 2011

I was thinking something along the lines of tomatoes and cucumbers, cut up and mixed together...sprinkle a little salt and a little pepper...yum.

What about a veggie soup? Something really chunky and hearty, kept warm in a thermos? Caroline loves soup for lunch...

sasa625 · February 2011

Will he dip the veggies in something, like hummus or other dip? DD goes to daycare 2 days/week and I either mix veggies into pasta for her or I just skip them altogether since unfortunately she's very picky about what she eats (veggies often have to be hidden). I usually just give her extra veggies with dinner.

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