It’s easy to get into a rut when preparing packed lunches.
My five-year-old brought this to my attention this week when she said (with hands on hips):
"PLEASE stop giving me ham sandwiches for lunch!"
Er, OK.
My usual lunch box repertoire includes a ham sandwich, an apple or grapes, and a Frube.
Poor girl.
To remedy this, I went in search of some ideas for healthy alternatives, and here are some of the things I found to put variety (and vitamins!) into your child's lunchbox.
- Cut fruit. Try apples, pears, melons or kiwi. You can squeeze a little lemon juice on apples and pears to keep them from turning brown.
- Cut fruit in jelly. If you were five, wouldn't you think this looked scrummy?
- Pasta salad.
- Sandwiches in different types of bread, such as rolls, bagels, or foccocia. If you really want to get creative try these.
- Fruit loaf with philly.
- Different types of wraps.
- Layered salad.
- Lunch kabobs: alternate cubes of cheese, chicken and cucumber on a stick.
- Ritz crackers with ham and cheese, or chicken and cheese.
- Peanut butter apples (unless your school has a "no nuts" policy).
- Make your own pizza -- half a bagel with tomato ketchup and shredded cheese in separate containers. Come to think of it, this is a stupid idea, it is a dinner lady nightmare. Try it at home instead.
- Snack mixes, such as pretzels, dried fruit, and nuts.
- Dips -- humus and breadsticks, carrots or other cut veg.
- Smoothies (the packaged kind).
- Pasta with tomato sauce (not ketchup!) Cook pasta the night before and mix with your favourite topping. Put into a plastic container. Don't forget the fork.
- Pasta with anything else. If you children prefer plain pasta or with a little butter or oil, again, quick and easy. A little grated cheese on top can be popular.
- Tunafish salad. Tuna with mayonaisse and celery is a favourite. The children prefer it in a plastic container with a fork as it otherwise makes bread soggy in a sandwich.
- Chicken or Pork Escalopes. Make extra for dinner, and have it cold for lunch or a snack.
- Veggies, such as red peppers, green peppers, carrots, celery, etc. If you can occasionally cut the vegetables in different ways or shapes this can make the appeal factor significantly higher.
- Toasted pine nuts, raisins, seed mixes, small nuts
- A slice of banana bread, muffin, biscuit or a cupcake (easy for the home baker, they get a treat and you get it out of the house).
- Cereal bars (Charlene would not approve, but they are slightly better than store bought biscuits).
Some other tips:
- Small children don’t eat much – pack in smaller sizes (not a big sandwich and large banana)
- Pack something fun – a digestive biscuit wrapped in cellophane tied with a ribbon, a sticker, a note, a cool napkin.
- Make lunches the night before, and avoid morning rush hour
What's your best idea for healthy packed lunches? Leave a comment and let us know.
This post was written by Susanna and Charlene, Thames Valley Mums Blog founding contributors. You can read more from Susanna at her blog, A Modern Mother.
Photo credit: biggie
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