Kids love chips and they love dips.
What parents like are fresh and real ingredients -the MOMables®way.
I reviewed a store bought boxed nacho lunch and made my own MOMables version. Which do you think can be called nutritious? Get the MOMveeta (cheese dip) recipe here.
Related: Top 5 Lunchboxes We’ve Tested
Round 1: Contents
The boxed lunch comes with tortilla chips, salsa, and “cheese” dip. I put cheese in quotations because cheese is not even one of the first 3 ingredients listed. It also includes a sugary fruit-flavored drink and a candy (which was prominently advertised on the front of the box, but thankfully, actually quite small – you can just see it peeking out from the chips).
My MOMables nacho lunch, packed in a Laptop Lunches bento lunch box, contains Newman’s Own salsa, all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO Better Chip tortilla chips, low fat natural refried beans (no lard), real & homemade sharp cheddar cheese dip, and fresh juicy strawberries. Winner: the MOMables lunch made with real food.
Round 2 : Nutrition
The boxed nacho lunch lacks protein, fiber and fruit. The first 3 ingredient of the “cheese” are water, oil, & starch. The salsa, made from tomato paste and seasonings, does count as a vegetable serving, but it has a lot of additives such as high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. The artificially flavored and colored drink contains less than 2% fruit juice – let’s call it sugar+water+color+2% juice.
The MOMables lunch includes a whole fruit portion, and beans for fiber and protein. The cheese dip is made from real cheddar cheese. The all-natural salsa in the MOMables lunch is full of vegetables. Winner: the MOMables™ lunch.
Round 3 : Appeal
The only appeal the boxed lunch had was the colorful box. It also lost points for being difficult to open. The plastic seal was difficult for even me to peel off without sending the contents flying, I doubt a child could have managed it.
My kidlet didn’t want to try the packaged nachos – well, except for the candy – but she ate the MOMables nacho lunch. She loved the sharp cheddar cheese dip, and I loved that I knew it was made with real cheese. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what’s in it! Winner: The MOMables lunch!
With MOMables lunch menus, putting together a healthy lunch is easy, and you get to choose your own ingredients.
Fresh vs Packaged – Which nacho chip lunch would you rather your child dip into?
The MOMables lunch is a winner!
How does the cheese dip keep in lunch container, but the time it is lunch time for the kiddos? It is still easy to dip chip into? Or does it become clumpy? Any helpful hits for preparation? Thank you
the cheese is to be eaten immediately after serving or you must spread it over the chips. it will solidify and not store well. You can also send it in a thermos.
I assume that each of these little containers INSIDE the lunch box have tops as well so that it all does not get mixed up….cause I know my little girl would throw around her lunch box and this would be a complete mess when it’s time to eat of they don’t have tops…..hahah
Hi Susan! Yes, you can find this LaptopLunch over in our store. http://www.MOMables.com/store. It does have lids. :)
That looks so much better than the boxed stuff! Do you have a recipe for the cheese dip?
The cheese dip recipe is coming soon…. stay tuned! :)
Hi
Great Lunch but how do you make your own Cheese Dip, Thanks again Nikky
Nikky, the cheese dip recipe is coming soon…
Hi
Was just checking to see if Cheese Dip Recipe available
Thanks Again
It will be soon….
How did you make your cheese dip?
Jennifer, the cheese dip recipe is coming soon….
I will take the Momables lunch to go! You do mail those, right?! LOL ;) You’re meals always look great. Thanks for another idea to pack for my boys. :)
my pleasure. Thank you Ashlyn! We will keep them coming… and remember… if you need someone to help you plan and put it together… you now have us!