BY CLAIR WHITTY
Packing a healthy school lunch can be difficult especially if you have a fussy eater. I remember it well. You can only do your best. Seeing an empty lunch box coming home can be very rewarding, especially when you know that it was packed with good nutritious foods. But of course we can never know if it was given away to another child, that is always a possibility.
The ideal lunch box should have a balance of complex carbohydrates, good fats, protein and fibre.
Sandwiches and wraps work well for most, and can be packed with sliced turkey, chicken, or smoked salmon, and topped with finely chopped lettuce, chopped tomato, grated cheese, hummus, or a little mayonnaise.
Your child might prefer finger rather than sandwiches or wraps. In this case you could add in chunks of grilled chicken or chicken goujons, hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, baby or sliced carrots, slices of cucumber, strips of bell peppers, cubes or cheese, or apple slices coated in lemon juice to stop them going brown. Or dried fruit like sultanas and raisins. A container of almond nut butter if allowed, or Greek yoghurt could be used as a dip.
Yoghurts work well on their own or with some fruit or granola added. Left over pasta or rice dishes can work well too. Water is the ideal drink, keep sugary drinks to a minimum if you can.
If you are reading this and thinking, there is no way that my kid will eat any of this, then take a look at Revive Junior or Revive Teen. This is a lovely supplement to top up on nutrients for your kids. You can choose from Junior Revive for children aged 4-12 and Teen Revive for teens aged 13-18. They both have a wide range of nutrients to support your child’s energy, brain, heart, bones and immune system. They contain 22 active ingredients which includes 18 vitamins and minerals, 4 fruit and vegetable powders, Choline, Live Friendly Bacteria, Fibre and Beta Glucans. These supplements are in powder form that you can add to juices, smoothies, or yoghurts. I love that you only need to take it Monday – Friday to coincide with your morning school routine.
Hopefully these tips will help you come up with ideas for healthy school lunches.
