Are you dreading making school lunches?
Thinking of healthy and exciting lunchboxes can be a daily challenge. I've had my share of days when I dreaded packing lunchboxes and lacked inspiration! Now I use lot of leftovers from dinner the night before for my kids lunches. If we had pasta or rice, then we make pasta or rice salads for the next day and add extra veggies that supply more minerals and vitamins. We also prepare the lunches night before to avoid the rush in the morning. It's also good to get the kids involved in preparation. They can help to choose what they want to eat and learn how to make lunches.
Many lunchboxes are packed with processed foods which do little to nourish our children’s brains and their bodies. A healthy lunchbox provides a balanced meal so our children have energy to focus, learn, play and support their growth and development.
Top Tips How to Pack a Healthier Lunchbox
Pack a healthy snack - choose a piece of fruit: berries, apple slices, banana, peach, mandarin, grapes.
Pack 2-3 different types of vegetables. E.g. broccoli florets, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, pepper sticks, cherry tomatoes, radishes, celery sticks. You can also add a dips - hummus or guacamole.
Choose carbohydrate. For example: wholegrain bread, pasta or crackers, brown rice or quinoa. Slow-releasing carbohydrates help to keep your child energised and focused through the day.
Choose protein. For example: beans, edamame, hummus, roasted turkey or chicken slices or a hard-boiled egg. Tip: Leftover chicken can be used for a wholewheat quesadillas. Nuts, seeds and nut butters are also good options but best to check the school restrictions. Protein provides long lasting energy and supports growth.
Calcium. Different cheeses or non-dairy sources such as canned salmon or sardines, hummus made with white beans, chopped orange pieces or sesame seeds. Calcium is required for bone growth and development.
Drink. Water is the perfect drink for a lunchbox. Watch out for sugary drinks as well as fruit juice cartons which can contain over 4 teaspoons of sugar.
