Lunch ideas high in protein and fiber

[my3guys]

Hi all —

DS won't eat lunch provided by school. He's beyond done with sandwiches and is picky in general. He doesn't have ability to reheat anything.

He has peanut, tree nut and egg allergy. He struggles with constipation at times. I'm looking for ideas that are high protein, high fiber that taste good room temperature or cold.

So far pathetically all I've got is pasta salad with beans. I buy high fiber pasta now. I know soak can be more creative than me!

[rebekahc]

Sliced, cold grilled chicken breasts or grilled steak with sides or on a salad
Meat/veggie/cream cheese combos rolled up in whole wheat tortillas and sliced into pinwheels.
Hummus with pretzels, pita chips, veggie sticks, bell pepper slices
sunbutter with carrot, celery or apple slices for dipping or spread onto a banana
leftover pizza
granola with fruit and yogurt
cottage cheese with Triscuits

ETA:  Too much protein tends to make me constipated. 

ETA2:  I'm pretty picky, too, and I find drinking V8 an easy way to get some veggies and fiber.

[hedgehog]

Cheese, crackers, charcuterie (pepperoni,prosciutto, salami, capicola, whatever he likes), and fruit.

[Macabre]

Refried bean taco wraps—you can vary it a bit  with pintos refried beans or Kuner's refried balck beans with lime. Add cheese and a little salsa.

[BensMom]

Will he eat lentils? I have cold lentil salad recipe I love. I love that it's crunchy and tangy like cole slaw, but I don't like cold slaw. It's lentils with chopped carrots, celery and red peppers and a dressing of lemon juice, olive oil and red wine vinegar.

[my3guys]

Thanks you guys! Bensmom I'd like to try that recipe if you wouldn't mind posting it.

[BensMom]

Here's the recipe. I leave the onions out because I don't like them. I don't use 5 Tbs lemon juice--maybe just 2 or 3? I don't really measure. And I add some red wine vinegar. I also don't use thyme. Just didn't think I'd like it in this recipe. So really, you can do whatever you want with it.

https://www.skinnytaste.com/lentil-salad/

Ingredients:

    1 cup dry brown lentils
    1 bay leaf
    2 sprigs fresh thyme
    1 cup finely diced carrots
    1/3 cup finely diced celery
    1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
    1/4 cup finely diced red onion
    1/4 cup minced parsley
    1 clove garlic, minced
    5 tbsp lemon juice
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 teaspoon kosher salt
    fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

    In a medium saucepan combine lentils, bay leaf, and thyme.
    Add enough water to cover by 1 inch.
    Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender but not mushy, about 16 to 20 minutes.
    Drain lentils and discard bay leaf.
    Place in a large work bowl with carrots, celery, red pepper, red onion, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
    Toss to combine and serve chilled or room temperature.

Makes 4 1/2 cups.

Read more at https://www.skinnytaste.com/lentil-salad/#P3e4wsyECMq3OgiG.99

[my3guys]

Great thanks! Looks yummy!

[becca]

I've had a salad like that from a local farm stand.  Theirs also has some cracked wheat, like tabouleh.  It's really good!

[becca]

Another salad idea, if he likes it:  black bean and corn salad.  There's lots of variations, if you google.  I don't really use a recipe, so not helpful there, but it's black beans, frozen sweet corn, diced red peppers, green onion, chopped tomatoes, with a lime/olive oil/garlic dressing.  You can adapt to his tastes.  My kids won't eat pasta or bean salads.  😕

[Macabre]

Mango is good in that!

[spacecanada]

I also echo the suggestion of various legumes. Also, veggie sushi with tofu, chickpea pasta (pasta made from chickpeas: Chickapea is one brand), brown rice and beans, veggies and hummus; quinoa with black beans, bell peppers, and mango.

Becca - bean and corn salad is a huge hit in our house, too.

This thread is inspiring me to up the bag lunches I make. Great ideas!