Filling the daily lunchbox can be a chore for many parents. Packed lunches, just like any other meal, need to be balanced to keep our kids happy & healthy! Here are some ideas to make filling a healthy lunchbox that little bit easier, tasty & fun - ideas that your kids will love!

Healthy lunchbox tips:

♥  Variety is the spice of life! Avoid the same sandwich five days in a row. 
♥  Make the lunch appealing by adding in different colours and textures: baby sweet corn, sliced red pepper, cucumber and carrots.
♥  The lunchbox should include at least one portion of carbohydrate for energy. Choose from bread, wraps, pitta pockets, crackers, baps and a selection of rolls.
♥  Include at least one portion of vegetables or salad and one portion of fruit. Choose from a selection of fresh fruit, mini boxes of raisins, dried fruit such as mango, apricots and dates, unsweetened fruit juice or smoothies.
♥  Add a portion of dairy for their growing bones. Go for milk, cheese, yoghurts, fromage frais or a yoghurt drink.
♥  Add a source of protein for growth and muscle development. Choose from hummus, ham, beef, cold chicken or turkey, tinned fish, eggs or cheese. 
♥  Fluids are important for children. Always include a drink in the lunch box to prevent dehydration. Go for water, fruit juice or milk as a healthy option. Stay away from the sugary and fizzy drinks!
♥  Make sweet stuff, such as chocolate, biscuits and cakes an occasional treat rather than an everyday lunch item (some schools prohibit chocolate snacks & biscuits as part of school lunches).
♥  Involve the kids! Fussy children are more likely to eat a lunch that they have helped make.
♥  Overall try not to give the same foods on consecutive days. Make the lunchbox interesting e.g. add different types of bread each day etc.

LUNCHBOX IDEAS

Lunchbox 1:
- Stuffed pitta pocket (leftover meat, lettuce, tomato and a little light mayo)
- Mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit
- Low fat yoghurt
- Vegetable soup in flask
- Water

Lunchbox 2:
- Wrap with tuna, sweetcorn and mixed peppers.
- Carrots sticks/batons
- A stone fruit (nectarine, peach, plum) or banana
- Yoghurt drink
- Little unsweetened juice

Lunchbox 3:
- Salad roll (wholebread bap filled with cucumber, crunchy lettuce and tomato, smeared with hummus)
- Handful of grapes
- Slice of cheese
- Fun size carton of milk