If you are on a healthy eating plan in order to lose pregnancy weight, chances are you want your children to eat well too.
Lots of kids end up coming home with food still in their lunchbox – so why not try some of our healthy ideas to put a smile on their face? They don’t need to know it’s healthy!
The main event
Sandwiches: the classic lunchbox option. Try to go for wholegrain bread over white; or why not try a wrap or pita bread for a change?
Instead of plain sandwiches like vegemite or cheese, why not try something that packs a more nutritional punch. Think protein plus vegetables and you’ll be onto a winner.
Sandwich Filling Ideas:
- leftover chicken with shredded lettuce, grated carrot and grated cheese
- ham, avocado and baby spinach
- tuna, chopped cherry tomatoes and corn
Mini Frittatas: use a simple recipe like this Pea and Parmesan Frittata and simply cook in muffin tins instead of one large tin. Serve with cherry tomatoes and some grapes (frozen grapes will keep the lunchbox cool).
Rice Paper Rolls: these are really easy and make good use of whatever crunchy veggies you have on hand. Try this simple recipe.
The Healthy Snack
Boiled eggs: the great portable protein hit, boiled eggs are filling and nutritious.
Dips: these are a great way to pack in some extra vegetables without a fuss. We love dip (check out our Healthy Kids Cookbook for loads of super easy recipes) as a snack with carrot sticks or crackers – or you can even use it as a spread on a sandwich. And the best part is they can double as a snack for mum too.
Fruit skewers: pop your child’s favourite fruits on a skewer and place in the lunchbox. Try adding a new fruit that you wish them to try to the skewer.
Felafel balls: these are great served with some tzatziki or beetroot dip.
Yoghurt and berries: place some natural yoghurt into a small tub with a sprinkling of raspberries or blueberries (frozen ones work too). Many of the store bought fruit yoghurts are high in sugar so by using natural yoghurt and real fruit you know you are offering a healthier option.
The Fun Part
There’s no need to purchase ready-made treats when you can whip these up in next to no time as a healthier option.
- Sultana Pikelets
- Banana Yoghurt Muffins
- Lemon and Coconut Balls
- Wholegrain Banana Bread
- Sweet Potato Bites: here’s a fab recipe from our Healthy Kids Cookbook which is great for the lunchbox or as an afternoon tea at home. Sweet potatoes are naturally high in Vitamin A and release energy slowly which is perfect for little ones.
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled
- 1 zucchini, grated
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Olive oil spray
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- Slice the sweet potato into 5mm slices.
- Place on a lined baking tray, spray with oil, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the grated zucchini and Parmesan and place back into the oven until golden.
For more ideas for healthy lunchbox fillers, check out our Healthy Kids Cookbook which is available from our shop. You can get recipes such as Sweet Potato Felafel Balls and the delicious Portable Nachos.
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