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Pre-School and Daycare
Bento lunches ?
I have a hard time getting my 3 year old to eat and I see a lot about bento lunches and am thinking this may be a good idea to get her to want to eat, if it's in cute containers and such but I have no clue where to start. What are the best products, places to get them, etc?
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Re: Bento lunches ?
Bento boxes are good for transporting foods. In the house, I often use different containers or dishes to make things more interesting for DD. She likes to dip her carrots in a little ranch in a mini cup. Sometimes I put her rolled-up ham on a stick (something about a skewer always motivates her to eat), Or do something interesting with how I present it (maybe cut it in strips, or rounds, or something). She also likes to serve herslef her own cold cereal and milk. So, she gets cereal in a measuring cup, her normal cup of milk and an empty bowl - she adds the cereal and milk a little at a time. Sometimes she just likes using a special spoon or fork.
Anyway, I am a firm believer that it is parent's job is to present the food and the child's job to eat it. I really try to catch myself when I feel the need to "get her to eat". Some children have nutrition issues that need to be montitored, but the vast majority eat enough in a 24 hr period to let them pick and choose for themselves. At 3, DD was into the control of "no" more than food, so I really had back-off to not make it a power struggle or issue.
Brighting usually does a Monday check in for cute lunches (that is actually why I came over today - to look for it). I love her lunches and have used them as inspiration for my daughters. I bought a bunch of stuff from All things for sale dot com per her suggestion. Also check out the blog "Meet the Dubiens" for Bento ideas, she has some great ones. Also, check out Pinterest as well.
They are getting easier to do each time. Here is my 3rd one - from todays lunch
Applesauce with sprinkles, strawberries with flower stem picks, crackers with cheese cut out to look like flowers, and some turkey with animal picks. This is in a 2 tier Bento box that was only $3.50
Allthingsforsale.com They are on sale for just 3.50!
I buy them from allthingsforsale.com but you can also find them in other places. Amazon has a limited selection and goodbyn are the boxes on zuilily. You can get those from goodbyn.com and they are on sale in the discontinued colors. We have the goodbyn and we like it. I really find that looking around is a good idea when it comes to bento lunches....I get a lot of the silicon muffin holders from Marshall's, TJ Maxx and the like, I also like the easy lunchboxes and they are on amazon.
My son loves having themed lunches and it doesn't take that long to make it. I am able to churn them out in the am if I have to. I also rely on sprinkles, candy eyes and shape cutters a lot. We have all types of sandwich cutters that I use on sandwiches, quesadillas etc. I wouldn't waste money on too many cookie cutters because they leave a lot of leftover bread that I have to figure out how to use. HTH
I think this idea is adorable and fun!