Trying to figure out what to put in your child’s lunch box can be challenging at the best of times. Is it healthy? Will they eat it? Does it end up in the rubbish bin? Have I given them too much or too little? Food that is healthy, sustains their energy and is yummy, will help power your child through their day and help them concentrate.
Here are our top lunch box tips for kids:
1. Get your kids involved
Asking your child what they like in their lunch box and discussing ideas helps involve them in the process. This makes them feel included and more likely to eat their food. It’s also a good opportunity to discuss what’s healthy and why it’s important to eat healthy food, especially over the course of a busy school day. You might be surprised with some of their inventive ideas! In terms of the amount of food, you should have a general idea of how much they need. If in doubt, experiment with quantities and ask your child if they had too much or too little.
2. Get creative with fillings
Try adding some vegetables and protein to their sandwich, roll, wrap or pita bread. For example, if your child loves vegemite, try adding lettuce or tomato or a combination of other vegetables. Or for extra protein, try cheese, hummus, egg or cold meat such as chicken. If you don’t want their bread or wrap to go soggy, provide the fillings in a separate container and your child can add them in at lunchtime, which is also fun for them.
3. Salad time
Why not make a salad? Or even a salad in a jar! Get your child to help you make it (or they can make it themselves) and allow them to help choose some or all of the ingredients. There’s a whole range of delicious in-season vegetables you could put in. Salads also provide an opportunity to add in seeds and nuts (provided the school allows nuts).
4. Fun shapes
Try cutting vegetables into fun shapes. For example, carrots or cucumbers cut into heart shapes really appeal to younger kids. Or try putting small vegetable or fruit pieces on a skewer. Cutting bread or cheese into fun shapes can help too for little ones.
5. Just add vegetables
Adding vegetables to muffins, fish cakes, pikelets or frittatas helps ensure your child is getting their 5+ A Day. If you’re making these for dinner, make some extras and then you have them ready for the next day’s lunch box.
6. Dried fruit/sweet treats
Easy snacks like dried fruit and raisins appeal to children. But remember these are high in sugar so should be considered a treat and not an everyday snack. Homemade cakes, muffins, slices and bliss balls are all lunch box treats that are fun to make together. Limit the amount of sugar you use when making them or look for healthy sugar alternatives. Homemade is better for you than store-bought versions, which can be high in sugar, salt, preservatives and additives.
7. Not all crackers are the same
It helps to become a bit of a label reader when sorting our what’s best to pop into the lunch box. Crackers come in all forms, so look for ones that are low in saturated and trans fats and salt. There are lots with under 10% fat – under 5% is best. Varieties with fibre and wholegrains can be good choices, and some crackers are even gluten free. Don’t overdo the number you give them, try four or fewer if high in fat/salt, and find healthy toppings like hummus, tomato salsa, cream cheese, vegemite and maybe a little hard cheese with a gherkin on top.
8. Cool yoghurt for a protein hit
Yoghurt is a great lunch box option, provided it’s low in sugar and fat. Fresh fruit can be added to plain, unsweetened, low-fat yoghurt, or alternatively, you can make your own yoghurt from scratch. A cooler bag or cup helps to keep yoghurt appetising.
And remember, water is the best option for their drink bottles. If they’re looking at you with imploring eyes for something more interesting, try adding a dash of lemon or lime juice, or a herb such as mint, for a touch of flavour. They’ll get used to drinking water, or cold unflavoured milk if that’s all you offer them!
Please contact us if you would like to know more at reception@otarafamily.health.nz
