tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post5982033315642819480..comments2024-03-08T13:31:43.180+00:00Comments on This is me Sarah mum of 3: Packed Lunch or School Dinners?Sarahmumof3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-84227723643369898662013-12-29T21:09:14.988+00:002013-12-29T21:09:14.988+00:00As one person previously mentioned there is no nee...As one person previously mentioned there is no need for children to have another cooked meal in the eve. Therefore I figure if I give my 3 sandwiches, pizza, soup, baked beans on toast, pastries,crackers with bits n bobs instead it must be cheaper. They will practically have the same sort of food just their dinner for lunch and their lunch for their dinner. I did work out its about the same cost of £2 per day for either packed lunch or school version. The food bill then must come down if not buying enough for big family meals 5 days per wk. Hopefully well I will do a trial run and see however elder 2 would like to eat with their friends who are packers hmm. Goodluck others and welcome any other tips. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12656586237777378070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-68815945740410159022013-12-29T21:07:45.120+00:002013-12-29T21:07:45.120+00:00As one person previously mentioned there is no nee...As one person previously mentioned there is no need for children to have another cooked meal in the eve. Therefore I figure if I give my 3 sandwiches, pizza, soup, baked beans on toast, pastries,crackers with bits n bobs instead it must be cheaper. They will practically have the same sort of food just their dinner for lunch and their lunch for their dinner. I did work out its about the same cost of £2 per day for either packed lunch or school version. The food bill then must come down if not buying enough for big family meals 5 days per wk. Hopefully well I will do a trial run and see however elder 2 would like to eat with their friends who are packers hmm. Goodluck others and welcome any other tips. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12656586237777378070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-2318370298161396372013-07-29T18:23:47.476+01:002013-07-29T18:23:47.476+01:00My packed lunches come in way under the cost of a ...My packed lunches come in way under the cost of a school dinner. I include a sandwich, yoghurt (tube ones are great as you can freeze them and they then keep the lunch box cool), mini pack of raisins or carrot/cucumber, a drink and one treat (which I sometimes buy, sometimes bake). I am very strict with the packed lunch goodies and they are kept separately from the rest of the food. I also shop in Aldi which saves me a fortune. I worked out that my lunches come in at around £1 each compared to £2.10 for a school dinner. Joanne Blunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14119095704189019203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-22507564528837949762013-07-24T13:34:10.307+01:002013-07-24T13:34:10.307+01:00I also keep lots of pitta bread, bagles and other ...I also keep lots of pitta bread, bagles and other bakery items like wraps in the freezer to vary the lunch box from bread all the time. The current favourite with my kids is melted cheese on the top of pitta, then a small snack pot full of carrot sticks, celery and cucumber for that extra crunch. I also find in this heat bread goes off really quickly. xxxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817885077132690213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-54544472474388861742013-07-24T13:32:24.768+01:002013-07-24T13:32:24.768+01:00aww thanks Liska! Was great meeting you at Blog Ca...aww thanks Liska! Was great meeting you at Blog Camp and then again at Britmums this year! This is a great article and my hubbie is the same. If there are any FUN Friday treats in the house, unless I hide them, he eats them! Keep an eye on our Lunchbox World facebook page as we are putting together some more menu planners over the summer holidays. As a mum I know how easy it is to run out of ideas or rather to stop getting in that rut. We're always rounding up other lunch box ideas and images we find across the web so do take a look at our pinterest boards as well (that's called lunchboxworld too!) Let me know if there's anything specific you are after and we're here to help xxx Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817885077132690213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-71187694860000609782012-09-17T12:33:03.675+01:002012-09-17T12:33:03.675+01:00I had never really thought about bulk baking and f...I had never really thought about bulk baking and freezing until it was suggested here and I will deffinately be giving that ago, also freezing the sandwiches seems a sensible idea, I have some of the morrisons rolls in the freezer that I brought this week, unfilled at the moment, but my daughter isn't overly kean on bread rolls and prefers sandwiches. All good ideas and advice tho Thank you xSarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-33148632117709223352012-09-17T12:13:36.669+01:002012-09-17T12:13:36.669+01:00I also make things to go in lunchboxes. Hot dinner...I also make things to go in lunchboxes. Hot dinners at school are £2.10 per day and there is no way I spent £10.50 a week on his packed lunches!<br />I make mini muffins and flapjack to freeze, so there is no temptation to pick at them in the evenings. I bulk bake so it works out cheaper and then fill the freezer.<br /><br />I also buy a pack of value rolls from Morrisons (about 35p for 12) and fill them when I buy them...jam, cheddar, dairylea, ham, mashed banana, marmite, chocolate spread, hummus, and then freeze each wrapped individually. Occasionally I'll do him a fresh sandwich with boiled egg, tuna mayo or cheese/cucumber.<br /><br />I do little pots of fruit/veg/cheese too - just raisins, cubes of cheese, grapes, veg sticks. Mini loves babybels, cheese strings and crisps - but I only ever buy what's on offer, and stock up on particular favourites when they are cheap.<br /><br />If you put the cakes and rolls in straight from the freezer in the morning, they keep the lunchbox cool and defrost in time for lunch too.the boy's behaviourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428903584989957736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-85795272198508892752012-09-17T07:27:57.219+01:002012-09-17T07:27:57.219+01:00Thank you Liska, off to look :) xxThank you Liska, off to look :) xxSarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-7487410150787219042012-09-16T23:45:20.914+01:002012-09-16T23:45:20.914+01:00Sarah,
there's a great PDF here:
http://www.lu...Sarah,<br />there's a great PDF here:<br />http://www.lunchboxworld.co.uk/lbw_hints_tips_A_Week%27s_Menu_of_Healthy_Lunch_Boxes_For_Kids.html?story=1604New Mum Onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14285584922202683960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-44547542037374321662012-09-16T23:41:49.875+01:002012-09-16T23:41:49.875+01:00Hi great post very interesting. Even though Aaron ...Hi great post very interesting. Even though Aaron is only 2 I really enjoyed reading it.<br />I met the lady who runs this site: http://lunchboxworldblog.blogspot.co.uk/<br />at Blog Camp last year and she is awesome. Maybe connect with her for ideas.<br />She is lovely<br />Liska<br />xxxNew Mum Onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14285584922202683960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-109911078932491322012-09-16T19:45:14.671+01:002012-09-16T19:45:14.671+01:00Thank you, will have to check up how much Tuna is ...Thank you, will have to check up how much Tuna is too much, but all good ideas re the jelly, baking and freezing in threes especially would be a way to prevent eating my supplies! Sarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-5635209448419334672012-09-16T19:37:57.115+01:002012-09-16T19:37:57.115+01:00I think Joy has the right idea - make biscuits or ...I think Joy has the right idea - make biscuits or your own bars which is a lot cheaper. Make a big batch and hide them in the freezer in packs of three to be taken out the night before so they can't get at them in the evenings. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and hummus and corn (you can make your own humus). They say you should go easy on the tuna because of the mercury. My mother used to make jelly in little tupperware containers that fit in the sandwich boxes as a treat for dessert. Also cucumber and/or carrot sticks are filling, healthy and not too expensive. Once a week you could give them chicken if you can save some over from the weekend. Dairylea triangles in sandwiches or on their own are cheaper than the babybels I think. Just a few ideas, I hope it helps. Rachel Selbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13113411205306116614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-80545806836394985942012-09-16T19:17:06.503+01:002012-09-16T19:17:06.503+01:00Thanks for poping over here Becky, Mine all love t...Thanks for poping over here Becky, Mine all love tuna and sweetcorn sarnies so thats a great protein boost, but I agree it is expensive, the spend of £20 above is only because I have been bargain hunting if I had brought the same things from my local shop then it would have been nearly double!! the Tuna would be £7 for 4 tins, the bread £1.35 a loaf etc etcSarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-29354330556698193682012-09-16T18:56:52.558+01:002012-09-16T18:56:52.558+01:00Your article is really interesting. I have come to...Your article is really interesting. I have come to the conclusion that a school dinner is cheaper for the same reasons as you - my supplies get eaten in the evenings when my other half gets peckish! Also, I am quite conscious of providing protein in the kids' pack ups, which, unless you put in a boiled egg (which isn't my kids' favourite)or processed meat (which can be salty and full of fat and additives}you are left with cheese and chicken or fish which is pricey! I've suggested bean or lentil salad to my little darlings which is full of protein and cheap too but you can guess the response I got! Ahhhh well!Beckyhttp://www.kids-health.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-34978278023718871192012-09-16T18:36:20.978+01:002012-09-16T18:36:20.978+01:00I used wholemeal flour, honey instead of syrup, an...I used wholemeal flour, honey instead of syrup, and brown sugar instead of white, then they are even healthier.joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12288268403388265748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-52819116801052532002012-09-16T17:21:39.372+01:002012-09-16T17:21:39.372+01:00I may have to start baking, although I'm not a...I may have to start baking, although I'm not a great cook! Flapjack however I can do which is a great easy healthy snack isn't it!Sarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-41358775739062356792012-09-16T17:13:56.291+01:002012-09-16T17:13:56.291+01:00I suppose I was a bit mean with mine, they never h...I suppose I was a bit mean with mine, they never had choc bars or crisps, just a round of sandwiches (peanut butter, boiled egg, ham or chicken mostly) and a piece of fruit (banana, apple), and I used to make flapjacks for them too and sometimes fairy cakes (now called cupcakes). Cheaper than buying crisps and such.<br />Joy xxjoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12288268403388265748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-76545554704520890092012-09-16T17:11:06.100+01:002012-09-16T17:11:06.100+01:00Do the teacher keep check on how much of the hot l...Do the teacher keep check on how much of the hot lunch the kids eat? my youngest came hoem one day last week having only ate the nice bits and not even opened the sandwich bag I told him sternly that if he did that again he would get nothing but sandwiches- hes ate everything since! When he was dinners he said he would eat everythign and often come home with a sticker because the dinner ladies don'tlet them go till they have ate 'enough'Sarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-9293891667896181432012-09-16T17:09:01.641+01:002012-09-16T17:09:01.641+01:00I may have to do the bag in the shed thing too! my...I may have to do the bag in the shed thing too! my other half is the worst he will just happily polish off a whole bumper pack of crisps without thinking, and the children never seem full no matter how much Igive them!Sarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-32704356524871051722012-09-16T17:07:45.792+01:002012-09-16T17:07:45.792+01:00its awful isn't it you buy the supplies and wa...its awful isn't it you buy the supplies and watch them vanish before Monday!Sarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-67174540074224285992012-09-16T17:05:01.525+01:002012-09-16T17:05:01.525+01:00My little guy is only in Kindergarten, but we have...My little guy is only in Kindergarten, but we have a hot lunch or packed lunch choice to make on a daily basis. We had decided to let him pick a hot lunch once per week, but he has not been eating his packed lunch, so I stopped letting him have hot lunch because I can't monitor what he eats. I don't mind the cost if I know he eats, but I just can't see that he would eat a lot of hot lunch when he barely nibbles his packed lunch...Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13476945045141611955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-4662319841511574262012-09-16T17:04:54.600+01:002012-09-16T17:04:54.600+01:00I have found the same problem. Although 3 of my ki...I have found the same problem. Although 3 of my kiddies are teenagers and the youngest is 11, Therefore they eat and eat forever. Either way, if they had packed lunch or school dinner, they would still be ravenous when they got home. The cost is about the same no matter what I do. The supplies also dwindle by the end of the week, so much so that I have resorted to putting the crisps in a bin bag down the shed...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-90548358999325256972012-09-16T16:50:12.316+01:002012-09-16T16:50:12.316+01:00I think works out similar really- though the teen ...I think works out similar really- though the teen needs £3 for cooked lunch at school. I have the same issue as you- the lunchbox bits vanish!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580191273349590067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-37410240869209401402012-09-16T16:46:40.372+01:002012-09-16T16:46:40.372+01:00it seems alot doesn't it-I really don't wa...it seems alot doesn't it-I really don't want to be spending £30 a week on dinners, but then I don't like running out of supplies mid week and havign to go out and spend an extra £20 to get us through... Like you say theres not much in it, I might send them back school dinners after the half term in October, gotta get use out of the lunch bags seems as I brought them and they weren't cheap either!!Sarahmumof3https://www.blogger.com/profile/03928332640674423684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829710682305692388.post-9699210465975570852012-09-16T16:43:51.910+01:002012-09-16T16:43:51.910+01:00tbh sarah i dont think there is anything in it a...tbh sarah i dont think there is anything in it and the nice thing is if they have already had a dinner they dont actually need a cooked meal when they get home ours down here are 2.20 a day gulpppp but at senior school tbh they really need 3.00 a day so.......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com