This year has started with a bang with my Grade 1 and Grade 4 starting what seems to be a pretty stressful start of the term! Their lunchboxes were still full at the end of the day and I have found a few hacks to help them eat all their lunch:
- I take them shopping with me on the weekends and ask them what they would like in their lunchbox – obviously within boundaries!
- Best of both, high-fibre white bread goes well with a topping like peanut butter, jam, or Nutella. All low GI ingredients!
- Picking fruit in season, such as grapes and plums, works well. I avoid fruits that bruise or get squishy easily.
- Always including an ice pack is a must to make sure the fruits and yoghurt stay nice and cool on these hot days!
- Small dried fruit roll-ups work well.
- Lean biltong gives them the iron which is commonly deficient in our kiddos and it keeps really well in the lunchbox – bring on the brain power!
- Carrot sticks, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes also work well.
- Zucchini, banana or bran muffins adapted by adding extra fibre from easily available ingredients and using sweetener alternatives like honey or canned fruit also go down well.
I hope these tips help and get your little ones finishing their lunchboxes. I hope you feel empowered to use creative ways that work for you!