- PB&J (or a seed butter if there are allergies, which he’s already shown concern about after having friends with this issue in pre-K)
- Ham and cheese (on a whole wheat wrap or sandwich)
- Quesadilla (heated quickly at home; he doesn't mind room temp)
- Mac 'n cheese, maybe with a handful of peas (heated up and in a preheated Thermos - just fill it with boiling water for 5 minutes, empty, then put the heated food in; this is simple since we always have a teapot going in the morning)
- Leftover whole wheat pasta and sauce (or butter and Parmesan cheese) with meatballs if ambitious (same Thermos treatment)
- Tomato soup with pasta (in Thermos)
- Pasta salad (Italian dressing or oil and vinegar, cooked pasta, some meat, shredded carrots, and any other veggies you may like; I'd probably send a cheese stick separately rather than have the cheese get slimy)
- Chicken panini (again, he’s cool with room temp or chilled with an ice pack...I hope ;-))
- Cream cheese pinwheels (softened cream cheese + favorite spices & herbs + thinly sliced veggies or meat rolled up and sliced OR softened cream cheese + jam or sliced fruit rolled up)
- Apple slices (sprinkled with lemon...and maybe some cinnamon)
- Sliced grapes
- Carrot or pepper slices
- Banana
- Applesauce pouch/cup
- Raisins or dried cranberries (our kids love both with a handful of white chocolate chips thrown in)
- Berries
- Orange slices
- Natural fruit snacks/strips (this could be considered snacky depending on the sugar content)
- Granola or “cereal” bar
- Cheese stick
- Pretzels
- Snack mix (mix the bottom of the bags of cereal and other “snacky” stuff together! Add seasoning and a bit of melted butter and bake briefly if necessary)
- Cheese snacks (we use Annie’s bunnies from time to time)
- Crackers
- Yogurt tube (we use Chobani since it’s a local company and GMO free; not perfect, but their current superhero themes are popular with our kiddo - just pack an ice pack!)