Click below for printable PDF
| disposable_lunch_ideas[1139].pdf |
Disposable Lunch Ideas
1. 10 Easy Lunches that Don’t Need to Be Refrigerated
https://www.thekitchn.com/non-refrigerated-lunch-ideas-260361
2. Locker-Friendly Foods for Your Kid’s (or Your) Lunchbox
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/back-to-school/lockerfriendly-foods-for-your-kids--or-your--lunchbox
3. 63 Work Lunches you Don’t Have to Refrigerate
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes-menus/lunches-you-dont-need-to-refrigerate-gallery
4. Back to School Non-Refrigerated Lunch ideas for kids
https://www.foodtown.com/articles/non-refrigerated-lunch-ideas
5. Disposable Field-Trip Lunch
https://www.momables.com/disposable-field-trip-lunch/
6. Lunches You Don’t Have to Refrigerate
https://www.columbusparent.com/article/20110223/NEWS/302239300
7. Ideas for Non-Perishable Healthy Packed Lunch
https://www.livestrong.com/article/544122-ideas-for-non-perishable-healthy-packed-lunch/
8. Ideas for Nonperishable Healthy Packed Lunch
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/ideas-nonperishable-healthy-packed-lunch-5015.html
9. 18 Meal Prep Recipes for When You Have No Microwave or Fridge at Work
https://workweeklunch.com/no-fridge-or-microwave/
10. Over 30 Summer Camp Lunchbox Ideas
https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2016/07/over-30-summer-camp-lunchbox-ideas.html
11. Keeping “bag” lunches Safe
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/foodsafety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/keeping-bag-lunches-safe/ct_index
12. The Perfect Field Trip Lunch
http://realhonestmom.com/the-perfect-field-trip-lunch/
A word about bacteria:
• bacteria grows most rapidly between the temperatures of 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Potentially hazardous foods (high in protein and moisture content) should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
• It is better to pack a cold lunch as bacteria grows more slowly at colder temperatures.
• Yogurt is safe at room temperature for several hours because of the helpful living bacteria cultures that exist in yogurt.
• Hard cheeses are safe to eat at room temperature (cheddar, asiago, parmesan, colby, provolone, gruyere and swiss)
Ways to keep lunch cold AND completely disposable:
• freeze yogurt and let thaw during AM
• freeze grapes, raisins, cherries,
• freeze small bottle of water/juice box that can be disposed of after consumption
• A chicken sandwich can be put in the freezer (with the condiments and lettuce/tomato to be added later stored in the fridge)…or freeze chicken nuggets or other meat which will be thawed in time for lunch
• bacteria grows most rapidly between the temperatures of 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Potentially hazardous foods (high in protein and moisture content) should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
• It is better to pack a cold lunch as bacteria grows more slowly at colder temperatures.
• Yogurt is safe at room temperature for several hours because of the helpful living bacteria cultures that exist in yogurt.
• Hard cheeses are safe to eat at room temperature (cheddar, asiago, parmesan, colby, provolone, gruyere and swiss)
Ways to keep lunch cold AND completely disposable:
• freeze yogurt and let thaw during AM
• freeze grapes, raisins, cherries,
• freeze small bottle of water/juice box that can be disposed of after consumption
• A chicken sandwich can be put in the freezer (with the condiments and lettuce/tomato to be added later stored in the fridge)…or freeze chicken nuggets or other meat which will be thawed in time for lunch
Lunch Ideas
Fresh/whole fruits/veggies:
sugar snap peas
green beans
broccoli
cauliflower
olives
carrots
cherry/grape tomatoes
celery
peppers
cucumbers
blueberries
strawberries
oranges
bananas
apples
apricots
pears
Cut-fruit
Dried fruit & freeze-dried fruit (like dried mango, strawberries, apples, bananas, pineapple, apricots, raisins, Craisins)
Applesauce
Dried meat (pepperoni, salami, jerky)
Canned foods: fruits, veggies, tuna, chicken
Cheese (put in sack frozen and let thaw during AM)
Grains: Crackers (triscuits, wheat thins, pita chips, sweet potato chips, rice cakes, graham crackers, granola bar); bread (sliced, french bread, roll); tortilla; pretzels; cereals (non sugar)
Dips/spreads: sunbutter, ranch dressing, hummus, guacamole
Noodles/pasta/grains: sesame, spaghetti, macaroni, quinoa, soba, rice
Protein: cold beans/chickpeas, Tofu, Hard-boiled eggs, protein bar
More ideas:
Onigiri Rice Balls with Salmon & Marinated white beans
Sunbutter & banana pinwheels
Lentil salad
Ham & cheddar muffin (store in freezer at home and put in sack to thaw to room temp by lunch)
Scrambled Chickpea Pita sandwich
Leftover cold pizza
Mini broccoli or ham quiche
Fresh/whole fruits/veggies:
sugar snap peas
green beans
broccoli
cauliflower
olives
carrots
cherry/grape tomatoes
celery
peppers
cucumbers
blueberries
strawberries
oranges
bananas
apples
apricots
pears
Cut-fruit
Dried fruit & freeze-dried fruit (like dried mango, strawberries, apples, bananas, pineapple, apricots, raisins, Craisins)
Applesauce
Dried meat (pepperoni, salami, jerky)
Canned foods: fruits, veggies, tuna, chicken
Cheese (put in sack frozen and let thaw during AM)
Grains: Crackers (triscuits, wheat thins, pita chips, sweet potato chips, rice cakes, graham crackers, granola bar); bread (sliced, french bread, roll); tortilla; pretzels; cereals (non sugar)
Dips/spreads: sunbutter, ranch dressing, hummus, guacamole
Noodles/pasta/grains: sesame, spaghetti, macaroni, quinoa, soba, rice
Protein: cold beans/chickpeas, Tofu, Hard-boiled eggs, protein bar
More ideas:
Onigiri Rice Balls with Salmon & Marinated white beans
Sunbutter & banana pinwheels
Lentil salad
Ham & cheddar muffin (store in freezer at home and put in sack to thaw to room temp by lunch)
Scrambled Chickpea Pita sandwich
Leftover cold pizza
Mini broccoli or ham quiche