Lunch Box Alternatives to the Traditional Sandwich

Eating sandwiches day after day can easily become boring. While there is some creativity when it comes to assembling a lunch box sandwich, it is still easy to become tired of eating bread with filling. Looking for alternatives to the traditional lunch box sandwich? I have some ideas which are sure to wake up those taste buds.

The lunch box sandwich is convenient in that it provides a main course which can be eaten by hand. This saves time on having to pack and wash silverware, plastic containers, or plates. If searching for a sandwich alternative that is equally convenient try packing a ham, cheese, and fruit kabob. Thread chunks of ham and cheese on a wooden skewer along with cubes pineapple for a tasty main dish you can have fun eating with your hands. Kids may also have fun eating these kabobs for lunch at school, only instead of threading them onto a wooden skewer you can place them in a divided container to be placed inside your child's school lunch box. Chunks of chicken could replace the ham and grapes replace the pineapples for another delicious lunch box kabob.

Another alternative to the lunch box sandwich is salad. While many people associate eating salad with eating light but, it doesn't have to be that way. Make your salad very filling by adding some protein such as eggs, cut up chicken, sliced beef, diced ham, or crumbled bacon. Another way to make a salad filling is to top it with shredded or chunked cheeses. Add on some croutons and you have a lunch box salad that eats like a main dish. Another idea for a filling lunch box salad is to make a potato and ham salad. Simply add chunks of ham to your traditional potato salad recipe and enjoy. Add some cheese for a potato ham and cheese salad, if desired.

My girls enjoy it whenever I pack them a chicken or tuna salad sandwich for their school lunch. However sandwiches aren't the only way to enjoy chicken or tuna salad. Chicken and tuna salad can also be enjoyed when topped on crackers and eaten by hand. Townhouse has come out with a cracker which makes them perfect for adding loads of topping secured by a raised outer edge of cracker. This idea would work best for kid's school lunch boxes and enjoyed with little fingers and hands. For adult lunch boxes use slices of baguettes in place of crackers for a more filling lunch box main dish.

Investing in a good Thermos is a wise choice when it comes to lunch away from home. When you feel yourself growing tired of eating the same lunch box sandwich pack your Thermos with warm tasty meals to satisfy your hunger instead. A Thermos can be used to hold many different hot (or cold) foods for lunch. One of the most popular foods to be placed in a Thermos is soups and stews. These are especially good on a cold winter's day. A Thermos can also be used to hold chili and hot dogs to be used in assembling a chili dog for lunch. Make sure to pack some shredded cheddar cheese to top your chili dog with. Barbequed baked beans are also tasty when placed in your Thermos along with sliced hot dogs. Cereal isn't just for breakfast, you can also use your Thermos to store milk for pouring over dry cereal brought along in a plastic bowl-like container. A banana, as well as a plastic knife for slicing, can be used as a topper for cereal as well. Strawberries would also make a tasty cereal topper. Warm taco meat can be placed in a Thermos and packed in a lunch box along with shredded lettuce and cheese for "assemble your own" tacos. Or pack refried beans in place of, or with, the taco meat in the Thermos to make "assemble your own burritos".

Leftover pizza can be eaten cold and can make a great alternative to the lunch box sandwich. Or try heating your slice of pizza in the microwave and then wrapping it in tin foil for a warmed up version. Fried chicken is another main dish that can also be tasty when eaten cold straight from your lunch box. Shrimp and cocktail sauce packed in ice can also be a tasty alternative to the traditional lunch box sandwich. Use freezer packs to help keep shrimp cold until lunch time.

If you feel you are becoming tired of eating sandwich after sandwich but do not have access to a microwave at lunch time then the items above can be packed into your lunch box instead.