Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

Sharing this titbit of news for all the moms our there…

Thinking up healthy lunch box ideas for kids can be daunting, especially when you have picky eaters. Variety is key and a colourful presentation helps too. Healthy food does not have to be boring, add a variety of colourful, fresh fruit and vegetables, low fat, high protein foods and it is sure to be a hit.

We have put together a shopping list of items which are sorted by category to make your shopping easier. Just mix and match for endless combinations. Print out and keep on the fridge for easy reference.

Fruit (cut into pieces if your child does not like whole fruit.)

• Apples, pears, bananas or any other fruit that is in season that your child loves.
• Dried fruit
• Fruit salad

CAUTION: Grapes are a choking hazard

Vegetables

Veggie sticks or small portions with dip

Veggie sticks with soft cheese

Cooked peas

Cooked corn – whole or kernels

Snacks

• Popcorn
• Crackers with vegemite
• Low fat biscuits
• Pretzels
• Mini bread sticks
• Nuts: A mixture of dried fruit, breakfast cereal and nuts/seeds

Carbohydrates

• Sandwiches
• Rolls
• Pita bread
• Flat bread
• Scones
• Muffins
• Crisp breads
• Rice cakes
• Pasta salad
• Noodles
• French toast

Protein

• Boiled eggs
• Quiche or frittata
• Leftover roast meat
• Meat balls
• Cold sausages/hotdogs
• Chicken Drumsticks
• Small containers of pasta bolognaise
• Tuna
• Homemade beef patties

Dairy

• Yoghurt
• Cheese (cheddar, gouda, cottage cheese) and crackers
• Cheese sticks

IDEA: use small cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of your cheese slices

Sandwich fillings

Meat, tomato and lettuce.

Cheese and cold meat

Ricotta or cottage cheese, tuna and sprouts

Avocado, instead of margarine

Avocado, bean sprouts and tomato

Lean ham, cheese and chutney

Roast beef or pastrami with salad

Egg and lettuce

Chicken, mayo and lettuce

Tuna or salmon with mayo

Cottage cheese

Ham, avocado and mayo

Tuna, grated cheese and mayo (this is also good stirred through pasta spirals)

Peanut butter and jam

Enjoy! Schools have re-opened, so try and get this right. Prepare so that you do not only save on the costs but save on your HEALTH. Be Blessed!