Our top lunchbox ideas!

I am so sick and tired of packing lunchboxes and I must be honest my lunchboxes look so boring! Sebastian is a very picky eater and does not actually eat much and Alexander really eats everything but how do I combine the two to make the lunchbox packing easier every night and week?

Deidré Smith, Mom, Registered Dietician (special interest in Paediatrics & Infant Feeding) and South African Certified Lactation Consultant says that while her kids would happily live off sandwiches, which would make it super easy, variety is important in terms of a balanced diet.  And as they get older break times become more about socialising and burning off energy than eating, especially now with Covid protocols and limited contact.  So variety and keeping it interesting should hopefully help to encourage eating.

Try adding starch (bread, pasta, crackers etc ) protein (meat, cheese, egg, hummus or other plant based protein ) and veg or fruit to lunchboxes daily and get your kids to help pack their lunches.  Preparing in advance also helps to make lunchboxes less tedious.

Baking with kids is always fun so why not spend a few days in the kitchen preparing some mini pizzas (actually large ones cut into squares, but you could use cookie cutters to make nice, equally shaped, little round ones), muffins and oat crunchies in bulk, to freeze.  It makes lunchbox prep so much easier and involves the kids.  They also act as a backup for lunch or snacks if you’re dashing between home, school, extra-murals or appointments.

• I’ve started packing lunchboxes in the evening while I’m prepping dinner.  I then put them into the fridge. This gives me extra time each morning to just have a moment of me time with “Wordle” and a coffee.  I just take the lunchboxes out and put them into their bags.  Or you can start encouraging your kids to put their own lunchboxes in their bags.
• Buy a lunchbox with at least two compartments; this just makes packing food easier and the chances of it sliding all over the place a lot less likely. I know there are so many options when it comes to lunchboxes.  We use Sistema ones with the different compartments and recently came across the YUMBOX from Cloud & Co. And well… just look at the gorgeous designs and they’re dishwasher friendly. They also do the best dent proof and leak proof water bottles with choices of different lids.
• To encourage your child to get excited about the food inside of their lunchboxes, try to make it a bit fun with things like sandwich cutters, lunch punches and little forks they can use to eat their tiny sausages and cheese squares.  We recently got gifted a set of ball sports forks and Sebastian, my picky eater, insists on using them for every break time.
• Keep things simple. I know what they will like and try and keep it as basic as possible.  I learnt a long time ago that trying to hide what they eat never works.  BUT, giving them dried fruit that’s rolled into a tiny roll or an ABC is far more inviting than a piece of fruit cut up – of course these are all from the Woolworths lunchbox range. Or leaving the entire banana or naartjie for them to peel themselves is always a winner.
• Try to cover all the food groups, I try to prioritise protein as I know this will keep them fuller for longer. The favourites are salami sticks and biltong. But I always try to ensure I also have healthy fats, dairy, fruits and of course my kids always get a roll with something on.  This ranges from Nutella, to jam, to liver spread to ham and cheese! AND then always remember the Penguins! A great tummy filler that is simple easy and always wanted!

But now it’s your turn, let me know your top lunchbox ideas?