Gluten free school lunch suggestions?

hi there, in a final act of desperation I'm going to take the house completely gluten free and see if it does the trick. I've avoided it til now as we are neurotically careful (and it's only our 8 year old daughter who eats it). But needs must.

It's all pretty easy apart from her school lunches - any suggestions for what can replace the inevitable sandwich? I'm fairly sure she will be appalled by GF bread (tho am going to try it without mentioning). I don't even mind doing daft ready-made packaged snack stuff for a few weeks (obviously we may need to find a more longterm answer if it does help).

She's pretty good at eating veg and fruit etc so I guess i could just pack up a load of chopped up stuff for her...

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Do bear in mind I'm the sort of mother who is constantly sprinting around looking for shoes and shouting in the morning (rather than planning a beautifully laid out work of art for my darlings lunch). Tho am willing to try to mend my ways

[Hidden]

Hi Tillyx, I’d try some of the supermarket gf bread rolls I’ve bought Tesco’s rolls and they’re really nice.

You can make her veg salads with her favourite veg and mix it with cooked potatoes/pasta/eggs. You can make individual quiches in tin foil dishes and use diced potato instead of using pastry and have a selection in the freezer. And you can add slices of cold Spanish omelette to her packed lunch. 🎃

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

you are a wonder Hidden - loving the idea of the quiches (which she loves) - she's not had them officially cold but given she normally takes about an hour to eat tea she's definitely eaten them like that. Brilliant. Just about to do a tesco shop so will grab some of the rolls. thank you!

[researcherUK]

You are very lucky and blessed, indeed, that she's good at eating vegetables. Lunches shouldn't revolve around bread substitutes but instead with nutritionally dense, filling, and tasty alternatives. Here are 5 suggestions for you and for each school day:

Hummus with veggies (carrots, cucumber, tomatoes), avocado guacamole with beans and corn tortillas, potato and tuna salad, chicken and green salad, boiled eggs and green beans salad.

[Hidden in reply to researcherUK]

that's brilliant - thanks! I think she would eat all of these apart from the guacamole - weirdly she hates guacamole and loves avocados (too slimy she says).

I've been feeling low-key guilty about the fact she always ends up with a ham sandwich (processed meat and all that) even though she has a really healthy diet at home. So this may end up being a good thing for her

[researcherUK in reply to Hidden]

Avocado, then, and may be added feta cheese (or any good cheese that she likes) and black olives.

Don't feel guilty. Exactly, a new and fresh start

[Hidden in reply to researcherUK]

yup she loves olives (I always found that weird in a child!) that would work. Thank you

[researcherUK in reply to Hidden]

Pleasure! and well done you

[CRYSTAL11 in reply to Hidden]

You could try wraps they are more fun for kids and you can fill them with all the goodies everyone has mentioned x

[Penel]

Another possibility for a packed lunch could be a gf wrap? I make pancakes using gram flour and shape them whilst still warm. Gram flour may not be to everyone's taste, other gf flours should work if they make a reasonable batter. Haven't tried any ready made wraps, so unfortunately cannot recommend any.

[FFNick]

Have you tested her on GF bread? Some brands may become bird food.

In time her diet may change as she grows up and her alimentary canal hardens.

Have you tried rice pudding? Can make it at home and buy it ready made in various containers. Adding sultanas, honey, nutmeg and jam at time of consumption. Her school mates will be envious, making their sandwiches look boring. Monitor their reaction.

Bananas and fruit are a good standby, dipped in yoghurt. Yummy. (As are chips dipped in fried egg.) Takeaway?

Yoghurt (flavoured), frankfurters, rice pasta (mail order cheapest) salad made with love by Mum. Rice noodles, potato salad, Onion bhajis (made with gram flour)

Boiled rice with cook-in sauce is quick to make in microwave. Stir rice and sauce together. Microwave for 3 minutes full power. Cooked rice use within 50 hours and Reheat for 3 minutes full microwave power (is more palatable). Only one microwave session is necessary.

Mrs Beatons chocolate macaroons are yummy and hidden pleasure mid morning. Chocolate crispies can be made at home and bought.

Is she is on a prescription of GF foods? Like you, there is no wheat in my house. Might be worth testing at home before launching in the lunch box.