Prepackaged school cafeteria lunches:(

have you asked your 13 yr old son what he would like? take him to the grocery store with you, let him make a list of things he likes then you have it to refer to on days he isn't with you. i think my brothers used to take lots of sandwiches, apples, little baggies of cookies.

 what does he like? what does he eat at home? ask him what he would like to take.

There is a recipe group on cafemom that you could try.  make him pita pockets with meat and vegtables and cheese.  Also wraps are in.  Sauteed chicken strips or use leftover fried chicken and cheese and stick in ranch dressing to go on top before he eats it.  

Every 13 yo boy I've evern knows would eat pretty much anything that doesn't move and for some of them, that was not a criterium. (yeah, I spelled it wrong, sorry.)

Anyway, why not ask him?  Is there some way you and he can get together and make some kind of list?

Sorry, I like two things for logistics more than anything else: lists and pockets.  Yay, organization!!!

 Have you never packed a lunch for him before? If you don't know the things he likes, why not just ask him?

Why don't you take him to the store and let him pick out healthy options for his lunch? Go to whole foods or the organic section of your grocery store. They have pre packaged chips, crackers, popcorn, etc. Then he will be able to grab what he wants in it, and you don't get complaints. Also educate him on what the preservatives do to your body, the added chemicals, as well as the artificial colors. Those bright yellow Cheetos, yeah, they are bright yellow for a reason. They also have Hanson's soda, no HFCS, no added sugar, and they are organic. But they have the bubbles that kids like, and he can pick his favorite. They sell them in 6 pack cans. Good luck momma! We eat 90% organic and what we can't find organic we find the next best thing if we can. I know how hard it is in a world of junk food and highly processed foods to keep our kids on the right track. I get a lot of "You should just let her be a kid and have a toaster strudel" or "Oh come on, a little mountain dew won't kill her". Yes, I know it will not kill her, but we choose not to make those kinds of things even a "treat" in our house. We have organic pop tarts (or home made if I have the time), and her drinking soda.....seriously? She is 4. Who lets their 4 year old have soda? That is ridiculous! 
Sorry got off on a tangent..... 

I like to pack bento, but a 13 yo boy might not think it was so cool. Take him to the store and ask him what he would like.

Sandwich, fruit and bag of chips. He won't like it as much as the junk but it will be better for him.