A Parent’s Guide In Packing A Healthy Lunchbox For Their Kids
Aside from checking the label of every food ingredient you buy in the supermarket and selecting fresh fruits and vegetables for your family, you also need to prepare healthy lunchboxes for your kids. School-age children need a balanced diet. Children need the right amount of carbohydrates they'll use for energy required in performing different school activities, vitamins and minerals to excel in academics, and fats and protein to end the day with an active mindset to still do their homework.
It's challenging to keep the lunchboxes of your children healthy because you need to ensure that they are happy every time they eat meals. With the right knowledge in nutrition, cooking skills, and a positive attitude, you can prepare exciting and healthy lunchboxes for your kids easier than you can ever imagine.
Enjoy this parent's guide to help you pack a healthy lunchbox for your kids!
What's Included In A Healthy Lunchbox
The foods you send to school with your kids contribute up to 1/3 of their daily nutrient intake. That's why you need to pack a balanced lunch to ensure that they are getting the right amount of nutrients they need. Here are the contents of a balanced lunchbox:
What's Not Included In a Healthy Lunchbox
Avoid regularly including cookies, snack food bars, chips, and coated or flavored popcorn in your children’s lunchboxes. These foods are convenient solutions but shouldn't regularly replace core, healthy foods. These types of food should only be given for special occasions (e.g., school parties). When it comes to sandwiches, avoid white bread and choose whole grain instead. Here are some food preparation tips to reduce or replace unhealthy food ingredients:
You have plenty of food choices for your children’s lunchboxes. Giving the same meals over and over again can be boring. Your kids will surely love and look forward to eating lunch if you surprise them with a great variety of meals every time. Yes, it’s possible to apply great productivity hacks not only in the workplace but also in the kitchen. Here are some suggestions:
Creative Lunchbox Ideas
From pregnancy, you’ve nurtured your child to become healthy, and this is still important as they grow up. Children love cartoon characters, colorful objects, fantasy, and variety. Use these things to your advantage so you can encourage your children to eat all the food you put in their lunchboxes. Here are some tips:
Conclusion
When packing a healthy lunchbox for your kids, make sure that the foods are easy to eat. Some children do not like sticky hands and messy packaging. Fruits and vegetables are easier to eat. Remove the peel of an orange or cut a kiwifruit or melon in half and include a spoon inside the lunch box. Next time, you may want to let your children join you in packing their healthy lunchboxes. It's a great way to bond, learn about healthy food, and have some fun!