Are Kids Brown-Bagging Bacteria?

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Two problems I see with your advice on what to pack for lunch: 1. Peanut Butter is not allowed in most schools today because of fatal reactions in people who are allergic to it. 2. Kindergarten in public schools don't have refrigerators available to students.

Barbara of MD 7:24AM February 01, 2012

2 hours at room temp & food is considered bad? When I was a kid, we hardly used the ref, and a lot of the food we ate stayed overnight (sometimes longer) unrefrigerated in a screened cabinet. In my country, ambient temps are commonly above 30. What's wrong with human resistance and ability of our bodies to absorb bacteria and molds? What happened to the good bacteria in our bodies, that keep bad bacteria in check? How shall we ever invent blue (moldy) cheese again, or even dare eat something like cheese (fermented milk) for that matter? What happened to our antibodies? Too much of antibiotics in our poultry and animal and vegetable products? Too many pollutants everywhere and in everything? Badly degraded biodiversity and eco-systems? It's about time real political will of leaders and all thinking people around the world was applied to clean up our act.

g.garcia 4:09AM February 01, 2012

Better Lunches: Pack an apple, a banana, or other fruits, or greens for your kid's lunch. Spray the greens with a mist of water seal. But omit the dressings. Or, a couple of hard-boiled eggs w/ some salt on the side. Similarly, preserved dates, figs and nuts are good. Just rotate in the peanut butter sandwiches. (By the way, pack a gob of peanut butter to go with the banana. Fantastic! Kids love it.)
Above give great nutrition. Have less obesity inducers.
Adobo-style pork or chicken stays good for days w/o refrigeration (the vinegar and salt used in cooking act as preservatives). Go to a Philippine cuisine site for recipe.

G. Garcia 4:05AM February 01, 2012

it can help to *freeze* the sandwich or other perishable item the night before, and then it will thaw out during the school morning even if packed with an icepack.

Carol of CA 12:25AM February 01, 2012

I'd like to hear suggestions for nutritious protein lunches that don't need refrigeration. Peanut butter and jelly every day isn't much of an option.

concerned mom of TN 6:13PM January 31, 2012

So the choice is to let them eat the sodium-laden, preservative filled, filler bound crap they serve at the schools, or try to send in nutritious foods that become unsafe from sitting out? I can't exactly send a peanut butter sandwich everyday!
I guess I'll take my chances with the two ice-packs I put in each lunch box. So far, neither of my kids have been sick.

CeeCee of VA 5:15PM January 31, 2012