Hi! I’m Karina. I live in China with my husband and our two-year-old son (the absolute love of my life). I have a passion healthy living, eating wholesome real foods, working out and instilling habits in my son, which I want to share with others. That led my to starting my insta page just over a year ago. Through my page I hope to inspire others to find a balance, try new recipes and make delicious small changes, which the whole family will enjoy. Thank you Zainab for asking me to write a guest post and let me share my tips for packing a healthy lunchbox.
Back to school is here, and that means the start of packing lunches again. When kids are at school all day we want to make sure we pack lunches that will fuel and nourish them for their activity packed day.
Today I’m sharing my top tips for packing a healthy lunchbox:
- MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Try to make fruits and vegetables the star of the show. I know the meals I pack are going up against some very tempting pre-packed snacks other kids will be bringing so making it fun really helps. Cut the fruits and vegetables up in fun shapes, offer cute picks for the fruit (this is my favorite), cut up apple and crudités with a crinkle cutter – doesn’t have to take a lot of time but that extra effort can make a huge impact. Adding fruits and vegetables also help to make lunchboxes colorful and our little darlings eat with their eyes first, so color is vital!
2. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
Whenever I serve a meal or pack a lunchbox I always try to make sure it includes – something crunchy, something sweet (think fruit) and something from each category of the three macronutrients (fat, carbs,, protein) to ensure it’s a balanced meal.
This helps me to plan his lunchbox and if he is having a fussy day I know their will be something in there he’ll enjoy. Some of our lunchbox favorites include: hummus either in a wrap or as a dip for his veggies, egg muffins, dal and vegetable paratha or a quinoa salad.
3. KEEP IT INTERESTING
Switching things up and serving something different gets them more excited about their meals. Gone are the days where a packed meal has to include a sandwich. Some new items you could include are veg sushi rolls, pasta or grain salad, frittata, vegetable fritters, tofu tikkis and our favorite cinnamon spiced sweet potato and oat pancakes, serve. Any of these with some sides make a delicious filling lunch.
4. DON’T PUT OFF WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY
Try doing as much as possible the night before. I know once the kids sleep we would all prefer to put our feet up with a glass of wine, but in the midst of the morning chaos you will thank your self you prepped everything the night before. Bake muffins the day before, chop up the veggies for the frittata, defrost the pasta sauce – all these small things will make a difference in the morning.
Hope my tips will help packing lunch packing less daunting for you and more fun for the little’s. Now I’m off to plan next week’s meals, but for more inspiration on healthy kids food and recipes check visit my insta page @lipstickandlunch
The lunch boxes are so healthy and on top of that the look so good nd that appeals to kids <3 Great tips
Looks yummy, alright. I wonder if it really works though – kids being as smart as they are!
Such great ideas! I loved all the tiffin boxes too!!
Those lunches look yummy. 🙂
Wow I love the ideas. And the lunch meals look so cute as well 😀 I am going to check out hr account.
Sounds great, but some of the items you named (fritters, fritattas, pancakes) sound like things I’ve never considered eating COLD. Always looking for recipes – and in my case, the kids are grown but taking lunch to WORK is such a diet-saver and money-saver! (I have an advantage – as long as it’ll keep, chilled, for a few hours, and can be served cold OR microwaved, I can take it. School kids won’t have access to any means to heat food, though.)
(Just commenting once more to get notifications. Forgot to check the box!)
These are some ideas which Mom used on me! 😛 Lovely ideas!
Kutne acche ideas hain 👌👌 mujhy shuru se hi is typevk lunch ideas acche lagtey hain, tab books me dekhti thi 😊
What incredible tips. One thing that I already do from these is that I try to plan in advance e so it’s easier for me the next day.
These are some useful and practical tips. Wonderful post.
Some great ideas. My boy loves oats pancakes and foxnuts too. I’m going to try tofu tikkis and some of the other ideas here. Also just love the snack boxes and fork/spoon sets. Super cute. Going to follow Karina on Insta for more inspiration
A wonderful topic to pick and a lovely presentation.
The Lunch boxes in the pictures look very yummy. And I like your ideas too. Thanks for sharing
I love the tip to add colours to lunch box .Its important we give children balanced meals .
I’m always so impressed to see these lunch box ideas by moms. I hope to do the same for my baby when it’s time
Good tips. I can incorporate these starting trow morning! Thanks for a lovely post.
After reading, I felt bad thinking why I don’t send such variety full snack box for my kiddo. Lovely ideas.
The food looks yummy and attractive at the same time.
This looks amazing! So tempting as well.
I loved the fruits in different shapes. Very helpful ideas 🙂
Amazing ideas, perfect presentation, and nice tips. Altogether a good combo blog 🙂