Foods To Pack For On-the-go Lunches?

[amberleigh]

I am a SAHM to 3 kiddos and we do a lot of playdates and outings and I was very used to picking up fast food for myself for lunch (mall food court and drive thru). I've found that it's pretty hard to stay gluten-free when you eat out...even salads and dressings are iffy. So, I figure since I carry a jumbo diaper bag with me anyway (b/c I have 3 under 2 and all are in diapers ), I might as well start packing a lunch for me too.

But what to pack? At home, I eat a lot of stuff that would need to be heated up (soups, leftovers, Smart Ones frozen meals, etc). Obviously fruit and veggies would be good, but are there any other ideas? Thanks so much!

[buffettbride]

Have you tried Open Original Shared Link ? We take ours EVERYWHERE.

Lately my daughter has been on a homemade lunchable kick. I pack gluten-free crackers by Glutino with some cheese and I make little turkey rounds (they sell cheese squares just perfect for crackers).

I also make PB and J or PB and Marshmallow fluff on a rice cake and put it in there--that has been a HUGE hit lately--better than trying to use gluten-free bread to make a sandwich for lunch. I make one with Sunbutter for my son who is not Celiac but allergic to peanuts.

Usually toss in some carrots or her favorite salad (baby spring greens with walnuts and Annie's raspberry vinegarette), whatever fruit we might have in the house and a few gluten-free cookies (we like Enjoy Life snickerdoodles and brownie bites).

That lunchbox has really worked wonders and it is easy to bring along. Comes with a water bottle, too, so you can pack a drink as well. We pack a "lunch" with us just about everywhere we go so in case we're someplace where eating gluten-free is difficult, she doesn't go hungry.

[buffettbride]

Ok, I'm a dork realizing you were asking for yourself and not your children. How embarassing.

I still love those lunchboxes, though! They might even work for you.

[mommyagain]

I am a SAHM to 3 kiddos and we do a lot of playdates and outings and I was very used to picking up fast food for myself for lunch (mall food court and drive thru). I've found that it's pretty hard to stay gluten-free when you eat out...even salads and dressings are iffy. So, I figure since I carry a jumbo diaper bag with me anyway (b/c I have 3 under 2 and all are in diapers ), I might as well start packing a lunch for me too.

But what to pack? At home, I eat a lot of stuff that would need to be heated up (soups, leftovers, Smart Ones frozen meals, etc). Obviously fruit and veggies would be good, but are there any other ideas? Thanks so much!

If you're just going out for a few hours (or can put a very small cooler in the bag with an ice pack) you could take cheese and meat rolled up inside a lettuce leaf (or just meat if you're dairy free). I often use leftover chicken for this, it tastes fine cold, and it doesn't look too "strange" because that's what a lot of low-carb dieters eat. I like to wrap mine in a paper towel (if the lettuce is a little wet) and then aluminum foil, kinda like a burrito. That way, I can eat it one-handed (very important when dealing with little ones) and the foil helps to hold everything together. If I'm feeling extra ambitious, I make it a full wrap with more veggies inside, and a bit of salad dressing or even salsa.