The Parent’s Guide to Using a Thermos Right
Getting your children to eat healthy, well-balanced meals outside of the home is much easier when you aren’t limited to refrigerated items alone. But keeping your kids’ thermos meals warm hours after you’ve packed them can also be trickier than it seems!
To make sure your little one’s lunch stays warm, check out our one-minute video on how to use a thermos more effectively. Following the quick video and instructions, we also share just a few of our favorite hot lunch ideas for kids.
How to Keep Food Hot in a Thermos
Placing a hot meal directly into a room-temperature thermos will cause much of the food’s heat to be lost, leaving your little one with an unappealing, lukewarm lunch. Fortunately, it takes just six quick steps to make sure your kids’ hot lunches stay that way!
1. Fill the Thermos with Hot Water
Boil water and fill the thermos to maximum capacity.
2. Let Sit
Place the lid back on the thermos and let it sit for several minutes.
3. Heat Food
While you’re waiting for the thermos to warm up, heat your child’s meal in the microwave.
4. Pour Out Water from the Thermos
Once your kid’s food is warm, carefully pour out the hot water from the thermos.
5. Fill With Hot Food
Add the warm food to the thermos as quickly as possible.
6. Pack and Go.
Tightly close the thermos lid and pack it into your kid’s favorite lunchbox.
Our Favorite Thermos Meals
Now that you know how to keep food hot in a thermos, it’s time to fill that thermos with nutritious and delicious meals that your kids will love showing off at the lunch table. We asked the Nurture Life team to share some of their favorite thermos lunches for kids, and here’s what they said!
Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower
You can bid farewell to boxed macaroni and cheese and say hello to a kid-approved version that’s not just quicker but more wholesome, too. Our Mac & Cheese has smoothly pureed cauliflower folded into the creamy cheese sauce for a hidden pop of fiber and nutrients. The familiar recipe also makes this thermos meal a picky eater favorite!
Penne Bolognese with Carrots
Our hearty bolognese features carrots stewed with a warming blend of tomatoes, ground beef and pork. Tossed with mini whole wheat penne and a sprinkle of parmesan, this meal offers a filling and fun way to get a great source of fiber.
White Mac & Cheese with Hidden Cauli & Broccoli
Your kid will have a new favorite mac & cheese once they try this creamy delight! Our irresistible white sauce contains cheddar and parmesan along with a secret nutritious ingredient—cauliflower blended smoothly in. For an extra helping of veggies, we serve it with colorful, kid-friendly broccoli.
Spaghetti & Meatballs with Super Veggie Sauce
There’s nothing quite like the fun slurp of spaghetti! Especially when it’s tossed in a sauce packed with six different veggies (enough to give your little one a full serving of veggies!). We top this magnificent mound of pasta with chicken meatballs to round the meal out with a delicious, lean-protein.
Properly Using a Thermos – Additional Tips
Want to make sure your child’s thermos lunches actually stay warm until lunchtime? These tried-and-true tips will help you keep food hot and safe to eat, whether you’re packing soup, pasta, or other delicious meals:
- Always Preheat with Boiling Water: Before you fill your thermos with food, pour in boiling water and let it sit with the lid on for 5–10 minutes. This step helps bring the interior of the thermos up to the desired temperature and boosts heat retention once the hot food is added.
- Heat Food to Piping Hot Temperature: To help your food stay hot longer, heat it just past the normal serving temperature, shy of a boil for liquids. This helps the thermos retain heat for hours.
- Dry the Thermos Quickly: After you pour out the hot water, dry the inside of the thermos quickly with a towel before adding the food. Any leftover water can cool the inside and prevent heat retention.
- Fill the Thermos Completely: Don’t leave empty space. A full thermos helps keep food hot because less air means less heat loss. If you’re packing a small portion, add some extra hot liquid like broth to help fill it up.
- Tightly Seal the Lid: A loose or poorly fitted lid is the easiest way to lose heat. Make sure it’s closed properly and that your child knows not to open it until they’re ready to eat.
These simple steps will help ensure your school lunches are not just healthy, but warm, tasty, and comforting. When done right, using a thermos makes it easy to send hot meals that hold their temperature until lunchtime!
Explore More Easy & Delicious Thermos Lunch Ideas for Kids
Want even more easy thermos meals? Then check out these 10 thermos-friendly hot lunch ideas for kids. If you have any questions about how to pack a thermos with your child’s favorite Nurture Life meals, reach out to us at support@nurturelife.com.
