We’re putting together a meal train for a close family friend who just welcomed a new baby. What kind of meal would you bring, and from where? They’re pretty easygoing with food. It’s for two parents, a 5-year-old, and a newborn at home.

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benman5745@reddit

I always do like a deli tray with snacks and drinks and junk food. Not everyone has time to wait for a big and usually heavy meal to reheat.

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I’d always ask. Personally when I do meal trains I usually cook. They often are given/order so much takeout it’s nice to have something home cooked. My fav ti make is chicken & biscuits (basically pot pie with biscuits Instead of crust). I put it in a disposable pan with biscuits on the side and all they have to do is heat it up for like 45 mins when they’re ready to eat it.

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blanketenthusiast@reddit

I loved the fajita dinner kit from Chuy’s when we were in the newborn trenches. It fed us for a few days and was simple enough to reheat. This is my go-to now, and I’ll tack on a kids meal if feeding an additional little mouth.

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txnewsprincess@reddit

The best thing someone brought us was sandwich fixings from a good bakery and deli, so we could make sandwiches on the fly when neither one of us wanted to cook things or even heat up things. Plus you can eat a sandwich while nursing a baby.

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awkward_mallard@reddit

burritos, empanadas, sandwich wraps, breakfast bagel sandwiches - Anything easy to hold that doesnt require doing dishes or clean up.

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keesouth@reddit

Lasagna.

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Snoo10428@reddit

Jimmy’s also has a great meatball lasagna

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pandapunch1@reddit

Seconding Jimmy’s lasagna.

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bonadventureBuzz@reddit

Costco’s Kirkland frozen lasagna is seriously so good and feeds 3 adults for 3-4 meals. Plus then the family can freeze it until the other meals are all gone.

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Ok_Foundation2125@reddit

My go to is Eataly - I get one of the big lasagnas ,they’re like $35, and some goodies to go with it.

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Expert_Bedroom_544@reddit

Argentinian Empanadas were a godsend, freeze well, easy to eat one handed, protein filled and a variety of flavors! I’ve tried Belen de la Cruz in north Dallas and they’re good!

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harrietgarriet@reddit

Whatever you get please consider including something fresh!!! Veggies, a side salad, fruit, whatever.

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pxelove@reddit

Something easy to eat and reheat while holding a baby. Generally I make things like burritos or meat pies and freeze half of them so they can reheat as needed.

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fueledbytisane@reddit

I second this! When I was newly postpartum, I ate most of my meals with one hand because my daughter was SUPER colicky. I remember craving beef enchiladas a lot during that time.

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pxelove@reddit

Ugh the need for protein while recovering was insane. I ate whatever I could cook and eat one handed which ended up being a lot of eggs and sausage.

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fueledbytisane@reddit

Eggs don't agree with me, but otherwise SAME! I was hungrier than I had ever been in my life.

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madagascarprincess@reddit

When I gave birth my friend sent me a family pack from Torchy’s and it was the best thing ever. So that, or if you want to DIY, a make your own taco/taco bowl kit.

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Dangerous-Sale3243@reddit

Fajita Pete’s. American-Chinese food (orange chicken, fried rice, etc). KFC.

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ScarletGingerRed@reddit

Flower child family meal with a bottle of wine & some sort of muffin or breakfast pastry for the next day is my go to!

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taniffy91@reddit

The stuffed bell peppers from Costco are my go-to! Honestly, any of the Costco pre-made meals are pretty nice

And flower child is also a good choice for healthy food. I remember doing a family meal from them for my friend when she had her first kid

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the-BBC-news@reddit

Always ask about dietary preferences (ideally the meal train organizer included that on the website along with a list of their fave foods / restaurants).

My go-to’s are the Eatzi’s family meals (roast chicken with sides & cornbread), Fajita Pete’s, Cowboy Chicken family meal….basically a hot healthy-ish meal in disposable containers. Always include plastic cutlery too,

It’s thoughtful to include a little something for breakfast or desert like muffins or a sheet cake…Trader Joe’s and Central Market are good for that :)

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Ok_Foundation2125@reddit

Yes! Totally agree about the breakfast

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EnoughSprinkles2653@reddit

Check out Front Porch Pantry. A friend had meals sent to me that I could heat and eat or freeze for later.

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OffTheBackOfTheCouch@reddit

whatever the five year old will eat

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woahwoahwoah28@reddit

Keep in mind that overly spicy foods can be difficult for some women when breastfeeding. I've done these before:

Lasagna
Baked Ziti
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup
Prepped freezer meals in bulk (I did a sausage one and a couple others)

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adenleigh@reddit

Not a meal… but tiramisu freezes and thaws beautifully! Always an unexpected and delicious treat.

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Exciting_Door_5125@reddit

A lot of other good comments here. One thing that I appreciate is something easy to prepare and easy to eat and cleanup. When you're in the thick if things, last thing you wanna do is deal with a sink full of dishes.

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oakleafwellness@reddit

Always ask. There may be food allergies or a special diet.

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LocalInvestment1760@reddit

Do the people receiving the meal trust the people preparing the meal to live in a relatively clean and contagion free home?

Will those that prepare meals listen to what they want or just make random casseroles that get tossed?

Might be better to order a pizza or give them a gift certificate to restaurants they enjoy.

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