It’s that time of year again…
Are you starting to think about (maybe even dread) making school lunches???
I’m not crazy about making school lunches E V E R Y single day! It can get a bit you know…🙄. But I have found that putting a little thought into it has helped me enormously to find what works well for our family of 5.
Here’s some school lunchbox tips for the new school year:
- Packaging – When I first had to start making daycare/school lunches, my boys were 5yo, 3.5yo and I was expecting my third. I needed to pack lunches in a way that would keep the food safe, keep food freshly edible (no mushy bits!), leakproof and that my children could open with minimal assistance! Reducing waste and saving money was also important to me. A mission? So off I went with my boys to the store and they tried and tested as many lunch box containers that their patience allowed. I did end up spending a bit of money on leakproof bento style lunch boxes, stainless steel tubs, insulated flasks and lined insulated freezer bags but those containers are mostly still strong 3 years later. I think this was well worth doing.
- It’s my job to decide WHAT goes in my boys lunch boxes and I do so with consideration of each of my children’s preferred foods and importantly non-preferred foods (included alongside for an opportunity to become more familiar). I do a weekly shop to ensure I have the pantry well stocked and look to buy bulk items e.g. 1kg tub yoghurt. I go for variety and at least one food from each food group but am flexible. I think about how many different ways I can use one food e.g. pasta can be different shapes, cold, warm, plain, or with pesto, red sauce, or tuna. I look to use leftovers where possible and make extra. I gradually explore recipes for baked goods to trial – in my own time. I find bento style lunch boxes great because you can separate foods if necessary and also offer 5-6 different separate foods. The compartments help minimise movement and keep the food formed and edible!
- It’s my child’s job to decide WHETHER and HOW MUCH to eat of what I offer. Some food gets eaten. Some food gets rearranged. Some food comes back. I feel confident that I offered food they can eat and food they are learning to eat. I trust that they know their jobs and are capable. I keep away from placing pressure on them to eat any part of their lunch – they know they don’t have to and are therefore comfortable with the foods being there. I try not to feel deflated by the food that comes back or feel like my efforts were for nothing… I did my job.
- I do check-in to see how lunch went along with how the day went. This is when my boys get to tell me how things are working for them, what they loved and what they didn’t. This FEEDBACK is so useful so that I don’t get stuck making lunch boxes that come back untouched all year round.
- Allow my kids to pick up SKILLS along the way so that they will be able to pack their own lunches one day. But until their early teens it’s mostly my job. They get involved by closing containers (they get to see what’s on offer), placed in insulated cooler bags then into their school bag. They also collect their water bottles.
I picked up a lot of valuable tips along the way from fellow parents and found what works for us. At the end of the day, this has to work for you, your family, your child!
Eat Happy!
Inés Astudillo
Accredited Practising Dietitian
