Healthy kids' lunch boxes

Packing a healthy lunch box for your kids can be easy and fun when you know where to start. Here are some tips on making their packed lunches healthy, safe and interesting. 

 

Spice up your sarnies

 

Sandwiches are quick, easy, and cheap to make, and - if they’re filled with some lean or low fat protein and veg - tick most of the right nutritional boxes.

But sliced bread sandwiches can be very boring day in day out, so try mixing things up a bit with bagels, pittas and wraps. Also, try to get your kids used to different breads like wholemeal or seeded bread rather than plain white. 

Image source: photkas

 

 

 

 

Get creative

 

For an alternative to the great British sarnie, make up a big couscous salad, pasta salad or noodle dish that all the family can take for lunch. Nigella and Jamie have some great, easy ideas.

And finger food is always a winner with children. Falafel, hummus with raw veg or breadsticks,  grilled chicken wings, a slice of Spanish omelette or quiche - there are tonnes of things you could do.

Image source: martinturzak

 

 

 

Pick your pudding

 

We all love puddings but they don’t all have to be full of fat and sugar. Save cake and chocolate for treats rather than for everyday.

Pick healthier desserts for your little ones - they can still be really tasty. Brighten up their lunch boxes with fruit salad, yoghurt, fromage frais or a pot of rice pudding instead.

Image source: Hannamariah

 

 

 

Hygiene

 

Lunch boxes harbour nasty germs that cause tummy bugs if we don’t clean them properly. Imagine all those sticky paws opening, closing and rummaging in lunch boxes day in day out and you’ll understand why a nightly clean is a must.

And if you’re going to be giving your little ones raw fruit and veg as part of their healthier lunch, they’ll need to be washed properly as well. 

Lastly, imagine all your hard work wilting all morning in a warm school locker. Help to keep their lunch chilled by packing one of those freezy blocks inside their lunch box. 

Image source: Andy Dean Photography

 

Make it fun

 

Now you’ve got the lowdown on making healthier packed lunches, it’s time for the fun bit.

Dotcomgiftshop has some fab range of kid's lunch boxes that kids will be dying to show off at school.

Make sure your little one is the envy of all their classmates with one of our funky designs. Enjoy shopping!