What do you usually put in your child's lunchbox?
We all want what's best for our children. But, for many parent's mealtimes can be a struggle. Developing pallets mixed with inherent dislike can make feeding your child healthy options a real challenge.
That said, there are plenty of healthy lunchbox ideas even the pickiest eaters are sure to enjoy.
Are you looking for a few ideas to help you pack your child's lunchbox with healthy and filling options? We're here to help!
Here are five healthy lunchbox ideas that your children are sure to love.
1. Fun Kabobs
It's no secret that kids prefer finger foods over things you need to eat with a fork. That's why kabobs are a healthy and fun alternative to the sandwich or other ordinary lunchbox food.
What makes kabobs such a fantastic alternative to the usual lunchbox fare is that you can make them out of any combination of foods. So, you can make sure your child's lunchbox is full of healthy options they will want to eat.
To make sandwich-inspired lunchbox kabobs, you'll need a few wooden or otherwise disposable kabob skewers, and at least three complementary ingredients your child enjoys, like pepperoni, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
A few other fun and kid-friendly options include cheese, chicken, and bits of tortilla, or bacon, lettuce, cherry tomatoes and toast.
Kabobs offer a mess-free alternative finger-friendly alternative to foods like sandwiches. On top of that, kabobs can easily fit into a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free lifestyle. So, if your child has any specific dietary needs, you can still easily create a fun kabob they'll be able to eat.
2. Crackers and Dip
Are you looking for something fast to satisfy your picky eater? The solution could sit on top of a cracker.
Crackers and dip may sound like more of a snack than a lunch, but for those kids who are hard to feed this tasty option could help them get the nutrients they need without them ever even tasting it.
Unless you plan on baking crackers yourself, the trick to creating a substantial cracker and dip combo lies in the dip.
While toppings like tuna salad are popular among some kids, it doesn't work for everyone.
Whatever mixture you decide to use, you need to make sure it's full of protein and vegetables. Doing this will give your child the energy they need to get through the rest of the school day.
3. Roll-Ups
Are you looking for an easy way to slip vegetables and other healthy ingredients into your child's lunchbox? Then the roll-up might be the best choice for you.
A roll-up is several different ingredients all rolled-up in lavash, tortilla or other types of flatbread. Think of them as a type of sandwich that a bit more difficult to pull apart than your average two pieces of bread.
When making a roll-up, the trick is to use enough dressing or condiment to make sure the pieces of bread or pastry stick together. By doing that, it'll be a bit harder for your child to pull out the parts that they don't want to eat — like vegetables.
While you can put anything into a roll-up, one of the best things to do is imagine you're making a salad, and fill it with lettuce, peppers, and other healthy vegetables.
That said, you can also make sweet roll-ups by combining ingredients like peanut butter, yogurt, berries, bananas, and other sugary components.
4. Mini Meat Pies
If you're looking for a more substantial and savoury meal to put in your child's lunchbox, you may want to consider this "tiny" take on an Aussie favourite.
Mini meat pies are a kid-sized version of the classic meat pie, and an excellent healthy addition to any lunchbox.
The best part about mini meat pies is that you can make large batches ahead of time, and freeze them for fresh and fantastic lunches all week long.
The trick to making mini meat pies is to take a hint from South America and use the empanada method. Take two small, flat circles of dough put a dollop of filling of your choice in the middle, and then flatten the edges with a fork.
While filling like beef or pork are generally more common in meat pies, you can use whatever filling you like, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Once you bake your mini hand-pies, you can freeze the extra for months at a time. Then, all you have to do is pop two or three in the microwave in the morning, and your child has a hot and healthy meal to look forward to once lunchtime rolls around.
5. Build-Your-Own Lunchables
Finally, there's a reason Lunchables are a global lunchtime phenomenon.
That said, standard, store-bought Lunchables with their highly processed ingredients and super sugary desserts aren't the healthiest option for your child.
Fortunately, with a little bit a Tupperware or sectioned lunch trays, you can easily create unique and ultra-healthy Lunchables your child is sure to love.
To make Lunchables, simply put your choice of crackers, cheese, and other deli products in separate containers, then leave the rest up to your kid.
With homemade Lunchables, your child will feel like they have a little bit of control over the way they eat, while you get to make sure they're only eating healthy and wholesome ingredients.
While deli foods are the standard option for homemade Lunchables, you can easily craft Lunchables out of vegetarian or vegan ingredients to suit your child's dietary needs.
Finding the Best Healthy Lunchbox Ideas for Your Child
As a parent, you only want the best for your children — and that can sometimes mean sneaking veggies into their food when they aren't looking!
Feeding a young child, especially a picky eater, can feel like a struggle. That said, there are plenty of healthy options that are plenty of fun lunch options that are versatile enough to satisfy even the pickiest kids.
By trying out a few of these healthy lunchbox ideas, you're sure to find a few new favourites your kids are sure to love.
Are you looking for more advice, tips, and tricks on how to keep your children healthy and happy?
Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles, and be sure to take a look at our full line of Fevermate products, such as our cooling patches and stick-on indicators.