My 6-year-old daughter has become an incredably picky eater. I'm looking for some good ideas of things to pack in her lunchbox - mainly which have protein in them to help get her through the day (she is in full-day kindergarten, and doesn't like the cafeteria choices - can't say I blame her!). I always include fruit, crackers or chips, and a veggie (yay for grape tomatoes!).

We've done yogurt and cottage cheese, and she's now tired of lunch meat sandwiches (she will take out the meat and eat just the bun).

What do you send with your picky eater?

Thanks!

Does she like hard boiled eggs? cold fried chicken? perhaps with some dip? cheese sticks? all I can think of at this moment

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Think big! Change the world! One A.R.K at a time.

what about a pasta salad filled with her favorite meet? Thats pretty plain, so it seems like it would work with a picky eater

My favorite when I was in school was a small container with Tuna salad , a stack of crackers and cubes of cheese. The ready made version is too expensive, you can make it at home. Or a Taco Salad with a baggie full of Doritos. (Those tomatos will go good in either of these).

My son is the same way and I find it hard to fit protein in as well. My kids love the edamame "poppy" beans. Those are full of protein and easy to eat!

I feel your pain!!

We have taken tortillas, put a piece of ham on it and melted mozzarella cheese. I then roll it up and cut it like a pinwheel. You could use any meat.

We also make a lot of "lunchables" with ritz crackers, cheese and lunch meat cut with small cookie cutters.

Meat sandwiches are always more fun when cut out with a big cookie cutter. Especially if a holiday is coming up.

Nothing novel here, just things that have worked with our picky eaters.

Most kids like things w/ cheese. Is peanut butter allowed at the school? PB on celery or on apple slices. I lived on PB&banana sandwiches when I was a kid.

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Thanks everyone! These all really help.

I had forgotten about eggs...and the pinwheels and PB and celery may just do the trick. And home made 'lunchables' are a great idea. Just changing up the presentation makes sense.

All of a sudden she doesn't like the things she usually eats. I wonder if she's just trying to 'work' me, seeing what I will give in to and what I won't... All of these ideas are great places to start!