Hello TD Forum readers! I need some help!!! My daughter, Lord love her kind heart, is a vegetarian. I have nothing against tofu, tempeh, hummus, or bean sprouts. I also like to eat animals though. They taste gooooood! Anywho - my daughter does NOT eat critters. Nothing with a heart. Isn't that sweet? Well... it is until she has to eat lunch at school!

We've run out of ideas. Peanut butter and jelly, bananas, fakin' bacon, honey, and pineapples. Jelly and cream cheese, raisins, cheddar cheese, and even carrots. Then we started using "fake meat" but really, most of it is gross.

So gimme gimme gimme your meatless lunchbox ideas. She does have access to a microwave, but it is old and she says it takes "for-like-ever" to reheat things. Protein packed goodies are in high demand. We are about sick and tired of peanut butter!

Thanks ya'll! I know you guys will have tons of awesome ideas! Right????

Maybe grilled cheese and tomato on wheat or rye bread? Will give it some thought, sounds like you have a very healthy daughter!! I eat meat but veggies are hard to beat. School lunch ideas may be more of a challenge. Good luck TSC !

You could pack salds - fruit or veggie in a closed container with an ice pack to keep them cool. If she says the other kids have sandwiches remind her that this is her choice and she has to live with it. Have her to plan 5 "entrees" for each week on the weekends. again, this is her choice. You must also find out what is required to complete her amino acid??(nurses?) allowance. I think that walnuts are one solution. Proteins are building blocks and this could be a dangerous situation. Nurses?

egg salad sandwiches
or you could do a big submarine sandwich with lots of veggies and substitute egg salad for tuna/chicken salad

This message has been edited. Last edited by: _Monet-Lisa_,

I hardly ever eat meat for lunch. One of my favorite things to eat for lunch is a black bean burger on a whole wheat English muffin, sometimes with a slice of cheese. These are way better than the fake meat burger, IMO, because they don't try to taste like meat. The frozen ones would require a microwave, or you could make your own. I also like to make wraps with black or kidney beans, cheese, and other various vegetables I happen to have on hand. Beans are a great source of protein. Salads are another option. You can buy these special salad bowls now that have a compartment in the lid that holds the dressing until you're ready to eat, then squirts it on your salad.

you could make soft tacos with refried beans (instead of meat) and the usual cheese, lettuce, tomato

I know your pain. I have a vegetarian child too. Frozen bean burritos heat up in a snap and with a little taco sauce, you can't tell them from Taco Bell. Veggie corn dogs are sold at Wal-Mart and they're good with spicy mustard. Try different types of cheese - pepper jack, monterey. My veggie kid likes vegetable soup. We make it up in a crock pot, freeze it and store it in those glad containers.
Vary the jelly with the peanut butter or make peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Peanut butter and dried cranberries.
Mine likes apples, walnuts and yogurt mixed together as lunch.
Earthmom is right. We keep lots of walnuts and other nuts on hand as sources of protein. Even I like the veggie burgers with spicy mustard, hot cheese, maters and onions.

Oh, I have a vegetarian chili recipe if you'd like it. I make a huge vat and freeze individual servings.

Get yourself a grill pan and grill up some sliced veggies and make a sandwich. Always lightly butter the bread so the sandwich does not get soggy. Grilled mushrooms also make great sandwiches. Cream cheese and olive spread is great with some chips too. I also do fried green tomato sandwiches for my kids.

I have two lovely daughters who are vegetarians. I have TONS of hot meal recipes.

I can't believe nobody has suggested beans and cornbread.
Will she eat pork and beans?

A few more ideas:

Pitas make great crusts for mini-pizzas, especially if you can find the onion or garlic flavored ones. Have her bring some pizza sauce and mozzarella, assemble the pizza at lunchtime, and warm it in the microwave until the cheese melts. Pitas are good with black bean dip or hummus too.

Chickpeas are a great source of protein. I make a chickpea and orzo salad that is tasty. The combinations of beans, pasta, and salad dressings are endless.

At the beginning of the week, roast a bunch of vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, whatever's on hand. Toss with olive oil, herbs, maybe some basalmic vinegar and refrigerate several portions for the week. These are good cold or at room temperature, as well as heated.

Just have her eat her lunch sack.

That wasn't helpful, was it?

CrustyMac, you are right on target with your first comment. Read my post in which I said to remind her that Being a vegetarian is her choice. TSC, I know your daughter is precious and you love her, but you surely have more things to do than to try to please her in this matter. Life is full of choice consequences and this is an excellent learning experience for her. I admire her will power. On the other hand - -- You might also contact local 7th Day Adventists for menu help - or google Vegetarian meals, sandwiches, etc. Hummus can be bought at the Deli. I can also refer you to a vegetable pate recipe made with lentils and walnuts which is delicious! The beans come in on the amino acid completion.I know this is disorganized but I am brainstorming!

quote:

Originally posted by Justasking:
Maybe grilled cheese and tomato on wheat or rye bread? Will give it some thought, sounds like you have a very healthy daughter!! I eat meat but veggies are hard to beat. School lunch ideas may be more of a challenge. Good luck TSC !

School lunch is OUT. They have a choice of "take it" or "leave it" and without the meat it is usually just fries and pudding. So she packs her lunch every day.

She is quite healthy. Want to hear a funny? Her dad tells her how unhealthy it is to not eat meat... while he smokes a cigarette. Then her stepmom tells her the same thing, while smoking, and drinking sweat tea (oh yeah, her stepmom is diabetic). My daughter asked me if that was what "ironic" meant. Ha!