School Dinners: Thinking Inside The Box

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but sometimes it's easy to forget that lunch comes close second. Today the words 'back to school' can be music to a mothers ears, but the thought of packing healthy school lunches that the children will actually eat can be somewhat of a nightmare. With food being the fuel for a healthy body and brain, it is important that we encourage our little ones to eat right. It's great to have the odd treat day and school dinners can be tempting when pizza is on the menu, but with a little effort and the kids getting involved, together we can pop together a lunch that isn't too hot or too lumpy and Goldilocks certainly won't be getting her hands on...

With plenty of us being fussy eaters, (it's not our fault we don't like it, honest!) it's always a good idea to get the kids involved. Try getting them in the kitchen cooking alongside you or asking them to write a healthy shopping list that they can pop in and pick up with you after school. One of the most important features successful lunch boxes have are the snacks you tuck inside. You need a main meal for lunch, and to keep energy levels high throughout the day it’s best to have well-balanced, tasty and healthy snacks at the ready. If your little ones are attracted to the sweeter side of things, making your own spreads, jams and bakes is also a fantastic way of filling them up with goodness whilst they aren't watching. It doesn't even have to be too time consuming, prepping the evening before or even sending them to school with leftovers from last nights yummy pasta dish is a guaranteed way of spicing things up and keeping them happy.

We also know that many shop bought items are continuously under scrutiny, but we must all remind ourselves that many of todays parents are working and may not have the time to whip up a feast in the kitchen when their stuck in the office until late. There are plenty of healthy alternatives that the supermarkets offer, just remember to always check what is in the food you buy. Keep an eye out for ingredients that you don’t understand, excess sugars, sodium, too many fats and the word 'ENRICHED'. The word typically means that whole foods have been stripped of their essential nutrients, with the vitamins then added back in for colour & flavor. Whilst this word may shout out to us as consumers, our bodies find it hard to digest, so try to stick to good stuff - fresh, fresh baby!