Packing the perfect healthy lunch box
As a parent, one of the main things you will consider is the need to keep your children healthy. There is so much information in the media about childhood obesity right now that every parent is under increasing pressure to make sure their child has a healthy, well-balanced diet. One area where this can be easily addressed is packed lunches. It would be easy to just throw together some pre-packaged snacks, but this isn’t always particularly healthy. The following tips will help you create the perfect packed lunch to keep your kids happy and healthy!
Keep little tummies full
It’s important to give your child a lunch that fills his stomach and keeps him satisfied until dinner. This will also help them focus on their school activities in the afternoon. However, there is a balance between providing foods that are filling and those that will make your child feel sluggish and tired. Instead of resorting to the usual sandwich, you might consider adding a bowl of pasta salad or a jar of soup as an alternative. Wraps are also a good option, since they can be filled with almost anything, from vegetables and meat to cheese and salad. This is a great way to incorporate healthier foods into your lunch.
living the lunch box
Sometimes it can get a bit boring to eat the same combination of foods day after day. Instead of making the basic sandwich, fruit, and juice box, why not think of some creative ways to make lunchtime a little more interesting? A great option is to make small jars of jam and add a few pieces of fresh fruit before it sets. This is almost like searching for treasure! You can also switch things up by making a small snack buffet on some days. You could include chicken strips, cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, and some breadsticks.
Lunch needn’t break the bank
Parents often find that packing lunch every day can be expensive, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are many main meals that can work well in lunch boxes. For example, if you do a Sunday roast dinner, then the leftover meat can be added to some salad for lunch boxes on Monday. Dishes like macaroni and cheese or sausage rolls can also make a great lunch meal. Just freeze leftovers in small portions that can be used throughout the week.
Keeping your kids healthy can be a challenge, but there are lots of fun ways to make packed lunches better by including homemade foods and fresh ingredients instead of relying on chips and candy.