The long-awaited return to school has arrived: summer and vacations are over, and we welcome a new school year! We get back into the swing of things: swimming lessons, homework after school, and the very boring school lunch boxes. There is no worse feeling for a mother or father than opening the little lunch box of its child and discovering that they have returned all of their lunch food. School lunch is an important time in a child’s development because they require energy to enjoy their day at the fullest.

 

That small lunchbox can mean the difference between your child feeling energised, satisfied, and eager to learn. The last thing you want him to feel is tired or irritable.

Say goodbye to boring lunch boxes and hello to inventive and balanced lunch boxes! Let’s dive into how to make a healthy lunch box in 5 easy steps.

 

1. Include Three Food Groups

Consider including at least 3-4 different food groups in your diet to ensure a healthy and balanced diet: a fruit, a vegetable, grains/whole grain bread, protein, and dairy. Don’t forget to include a bottle of natural spring water so your child can drink when he wants! The key is to focus on having a lot of variety in that little box.

 

• For the proteins, you can add: Turkey, Chicken, Beans, Nuts, Egg
• Concerning the fruits, you should consider: strawberries, chopped apples, grapes
• And for the whole grains, we recommend: Whole Grain Sandwich, Whole Grain Crackers, Brown Rice

 

2. Prepare Delicious Snacks

Who doesn’t enjoy eating with their fingers? Children, in particular, enjoy playing with food and eating with their fingers. Also, because schools don’t provide as much lunchtime, we want to make sure the food is simple to consume. Choose snacks that are easy to transport and eat with your fingers instead of complicated lunches and shakes.

Ideas of funny and delicious snacks:

• Fruit Kebabs
• Cherry Tomatoes with cheese
• Carrots with dressing
• Berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries

3. Focus on Fresh Food

It is undeniably easier to pack cookies, chips, and snacks that have already been packaged. This type of food, however, does not replace and should not be the primary component of the lunch box. Include no more than 1-2 packaged foods as a guideline. Some packaged foods, such as yogurts and cheeses, are still a good option; however, we are referring to more processed products with low nutritional value, such as boxed macaroni and cheese, chips, desserts, and so on. You should include at least 50-70% fresh food in your lunch box. (Fruits, sandwiches, nuts, vegetables, cheeses served with whole grain crackers, and so on.)

4. Prepare the Lunchbox with your Children

Your children will be more willing to accept their meals if they are involved in their preparation. That is, if your child has never eaten celery before, don’t expect her to eat it in school. Experiment with new food combinations at home with snacks and meals. That way, when you put it in his lunchbox, it will be familiar to him, and he will be able to anticipate its taste.

 

5. Pack Everything in Their Favourite Box

Lunchbox success requires the right tools. You must have the appropriate lunch box, just as any artist must have the appropriate brushes and paints. I’m talking about a lunch box with several compartments. This allows you to offer a wide range of food groups. Instead of using plastic bags, choose long-lasting containers. For snacks or lunches, choose colourful and fun packaging. Allow your child to choose a favourite.