Lunch boxes

Does the thought of preparing a school lunch every day five days a week every school term fill you with dread?

You are not alone. Often there is the immediate thought of what to pack in a lunch box and how to provide variety.

Preparing a child’s lunch box can be a challenge.

What to include in the lunch box is a common quandary.

Gone are the days of the old staple of the Vegemite sandwich of my day. Today’s lunch box selections are often quite gourmet.

Eating at school can be a different, perhaps a tricky experience for your child, especially in the younger grades as they adjust with school in general.

There may be barriers for a child at school or with their packed lunch that they wouldn’t experience at home.

A child may find themselves with not have the same facilities available to them as they do at home.

Food may not be able to heated or keep cold. Lunch at school may not be at a table. There are much more distractions at school so they may appear to have a smaller appetite or eat less during the day at school.

Small portions are great to provide at school. Small portions provide the opportunity to offer a larger variety in the lunchbox. The child can make the choice of what they wish to eat that day. Larger portions and/or fewer choices can sometimes overwhelm the child. It may mean that if they are not fussed on the limited choice offered then they may even less.

A child has a small stomach. If offered a lot they may become stressed about finishing. They may not know where to start. And food may constantly go to waste.

It is important to manage the portion sizes and food options in a child’s lunchbox.

Four or five items in a lunch box is fine. It provides the child more opportunity to eat all that’s in their lunch box. Try to incorporate some protein, fruit and vegetable and dairy in each lunchbox each day.

Variety is the key. We know most of us would cringe at that a Vegemite sandwich everyday for a year. It’s not exactly what everyone would be happy about. Mixing it up and making different sandwiches items is not as hard as it sounds.

Be mindful of waste. Additionally, be mindful of the safety and storage of food.

Be aware of the packaging  and not from an environmental perspective. Of course it is important to minimise the toll on the environment but more importantly it is about the child being able to easily access the food.

Allow the child some ownership as well. Ask them what they want in their lunch box and they can help to prepare it too. Offer healthy choices as their options to choose from.

 Lunch box ideas                                                                            Leave out                                                                                    Other ideas