Pack a Yummy School Lunch Box

Feeding your child and making sure that he or she is eating a nutritious lunch can be one of the most frustrating experiences that a parent faces. Oh sure, you lovingly craft that sandwich and put that Golden Delicious apple into their lunch box; but will they eat it?

The sandwich, maybe. But on too many occasions I have found those apples rotting in the bottom of their bag 2 weeks later. Just how do I pack a tasty lunch for my kids that they’ll also enjoy?

For the Snacks

If your child does not suffer any sort of nut allergy, then nuts and trail mixes are definitely something to try. Almonds, peanuts, walnuts and sunflower seeds are all top choices for my kids. Next time you are in the bulk foods or “nut” section of your grocery store, have your kids pick out some nuts and seeds they may like to try.

As a special treat, I’ll also pack my children some baked pretzels in their lunch.

For fruits and vegetables, getting your kids to eat these may be a bit tricky. When it comes to veggies, consider including a good-quality salad dressing or dip (none of that low-fat stuff or dressings packed with preservatives). For fruits, cutting them into different shapes can encourage them to pick at and eat it. I found that if I put a whole orange or apple into their lunch bags they wouldn’t eat them; however if I peeled the orange and sliced the apple for them, they’d eat it.

For the Main Course

Yes, sandwiches are definitely the staple food for kid’s lunches, but you can add some variety by including things like wraps and home-made nutritious pasta salads as a main course. If there is a facility where they can have their lunches heated up, consider packing a hearty veggie chili every once in a while.

TIP: To get youngsters eating those sandwiches, invest in some cookie cutters (if they choose them, all the better) and “cookie-cut” their sandwiches!

For Desserts

Some families don’t do the “dessert thing”; others do. I personally like to give my children a homemade cookie or two to take to school, or a gelatine or pudding that I’ve made. When I initially didn’t give my son a dessert for school, I quickly found out that he resented me for not offering a sweet treat at the end of his meal, whereas all of the other children each had a dessert. I figured being socially ostracized by his peers was not worth withholding a bit of sugar.

One piece of advice: Having your child go grocery shopping with you and being an active participant in the lunch-box process goes a long way in having them eat their meal. The more you have a child participate and take ownership of something, the more he or she will feel compelled and enjoy doing it.

photo by Bianca de Blok