#makingfoodfun

warm butternut squash and chickpea salad <smitten kitchen> :: sesame baked tofu and chicken <the whole tara> :: stuffing with leeks, celery, and apple <us>

I absolutely LOVE packing my kids’ lunchboxes.  I know, crazy many would say, but I really do!  I often joke about what I will do when my 3 are too old to enjoy the creations I send them off with each day.

But it can be a real challenge packing lunchboxes day after day.  Whilst you want to send them off to school with a lunchbox full of healthy and nutritious foods, you also want to give them food that they will like and that won’t return home uneaten.

Filling lunchboxes with healthy foods is extremely important for growing bodies.  Children burn a lot of energy throughout the day, their bodies are constantly growing and they need good food to help them concentrate and learn.

Here are some simple tips to get you started:

Make it fun

Sandwich cutters, lunch-punches, novelty food picks, different coloured containers and stickers are great tools to help liven up a boring lunchbox.  Try some cherry tomatoes and cheese cubes on a pick, or make a sandwich fun by turning it into a dinosaur. You can even be extra creative and have lunchbox ‘theme’ days for occasions such as Easter, Birthdays or different seasons.

Variety is the key

By choosing a variety of nutritious foods each day you are ensuring your child is getting a wide range of different nutrients.  You are also making sure that they aren’t getting bored with the same food each time they open their lunchbox.  Try different types of breads, pasta, rice, leftovers, frittatas, bento-style lunches, vegie sticks and dips.

Get them involved

Involving your child in selecting what goes into their lunchbox can be a great way to ensure that the food gets eaten.  By having a selection of healthy foods on hand to choose from, you are letting them choose, whilst also knowing they are still getting something you approve of.  This can work particularly well for the fussy-eaters.

Keep it cool

Make sure you keep their lunchbox cool with a frozen brick or drink.  This will reduce the risk of food poisoning, not to mention that their food will be much fresher and tastier.

Fill them up

Include protein-rich foods such as tuna, salmon, chicken, lean meats, tofu, lentils, beans and yoghurt to keep their bellies feeling full.  These foods also provide great fuel for muscle growth and repair. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, low GI carbohydrates and a big bottle of water.

Avoid the additives

Fill their lunchboxes with lots of fresh, unprocessed foods, home-made when possible.  If you are sending packaged foods, make sure you learn to read the food labels and avoid the nasty additives and preservatives that many of these products contain.  Choose foods low in salt and sugar.  Often even when foods appear to be healthy, they can be far from it.

Plan ahead

There’s nothing worse than the last minute rush before racing out the door in the morning.  If you find it works better for you, pack what you can the night before and just leave the things that can’t be cut up or prepared in advance to the morning i.e. avocado that will go brown.  You can pre-make and freeze a lot of foods for lunchboxes and creating weekly plans can also be helpful.  By ensuring you have the cupboard and fridge stocked with healthy staples, you won’t find yourself short of ideas.