5 easy ways to pack a healthy lunch box

Packing a healthy school lunch box for the kids every day should be one of the simpler parts of the morning school rush, right? 

But with the chaos of breakfast, getting dressed and scrambling together the right essentials for the day, it can become a challenge. 

So when it comes to packing healthy school lunches here are five clever tips to get you and the kids out the door on time without sacrificing their nutrition … or your sanity!

1. Go bento

Choosing a quality bento-style lunch box for your child inspires healthy variety with its multiple sections. 

It will soon become second nature to quickly grab a variety of nutritious lunch box options from all of the five main food groups – wholegrain breads, wraps or crackers, proteins including boiled eggs, cheese or yoghurt, lean meats, tinned tuna or hummus, raw veggie sticks, salad on sandwiches as well as some fresh, seasonal fruit.  

2. Enlist the troops

It can be frustrating to reach out for the kids’ lunch boxes in the morning, only to find they’re still in their bags from the day before. 

Children thrive on responsibility, so give your kids the daily task of emptying out their lunch boxes and placing them on the sink when they arrive home from school. 

That small change will get you a step closer to being ready to roll again the next day. 

3. Do some advance prep

Prepare and pack as many elements as you can for their school lunch the night before, or even on the weekend to get ready for the week ahead. 

Pop fruit, cheese slices, veggie sticks and dips, crackers or even simple sandwiches into their lunch boxes and keep in the fridge overnight. 

It will make for a smoother and happier run out the door, plus it allows you a few spare minutes up your sleeve in the morning to cuddle, play and read with the kids, or to help with any last-minute homework. 

4. Cook extra for dinner

Many kids love leftovers for their school lunch. They’re often a very nutritious choice and can save you a heap of time in the morning. 

Pasta and pasta bakes, quiches, noodles, homemade pizzas and leftover roast meats are good choices. 

Or simply cut up a few veggie sticks while you are preparing the evening meal and add them to a lunch box for the next day. 

5. Big batch baking

Cook up a double batch of your child’s favourite homemade snacks, such as muesli bars, slices, bliss balls and biscuits. Doing this helps you avoid the unwanted additives and preservatives found in store-bought snacks, and you’ll reduce unnecessary packaging too. 

Keep a selection in airtight containers in your freezer. Simply pop one into their lunch box and it’ll be ready to enjoy by morning tea.