Lunchbox ideas and food to fuel learning
Food is essential to learning! Without healthy food, brains can't fire as effectively and your child's mood and ability to concentrate may drop. That's why we've rounded up some delicious meal ideas for before, during, and after school.
Plan ahead
Planning is essential to reduce food waste - and last-minute trips to the tuckshop!
- Write out a lunchbox plan when you make a meal plan. Maybe Sunday's roast chicken can become Monday's sandwiches, for example.
- Ask your kids. If there's anything they just won't eat, or if some lunchbox staples like peanut butter are banned from their playground, it's best not to pack it in the first place. Get them involved in planning their lunchbox - then they're more likely to eat what's in them!
- Make sure you have enough lunchboxes, drink bottles, plastic wrap and so on. Stock up the pantry with muesli bars and other snacks for lunchbox emergencies!
- Write a shopping list. There's nothing worse than forgetting something essential.
Breakfast ideas
Skipping breakfast is a bad habit to get in to - fueling up for the day makes it easier for kids to study and learn. As well as the usual toast or cereal, try these breakfast ideas.
Berry and Banana Smoothie
Peach and Almond Bircher Muesli
Lunchbox ideas
Packing a lunchbox can be a chore, so try these healthy lunchbox alternatives to sandwiches!
These ideas can be the "star" of the lunchbox, but need a little something extra to make a meal. Pop in a couple of pieces of fruit, or a serving of veggies like yummy carrot sticks or slices of cucumber with hummus or plain yoghurt for dipping. Round things out with cheese and crackers, or a piece of home baking.
Southern Style Frittata
Vegetarian Sushi
Persian Couscous Salad
Spaghetti and Egg Pies
After school snacks
Kids tend to come home from school ravenous! Tempt them with a piece of fruit and a glass of milk - and if that's not cutting it, offer one of these options to hold them between homework time and dinner time.