Basics: Getting young children excited about food can be a challenge if they aren’t enthusiastic about trying different things. The trick with healthy lunches and snacks for your primary school children is to pick things you know they like and incorporate tiny amounts of new foods as you go. As they are consuming this lunch at school – if they don’t like it, they just won’t eat it, and the last thing you want is a ravenous child at the school gate at the end of the day! Try to go for foods you have tried together at home and you know they’ll eat, whilst including variety where possible.
HEALTHY HOT MEALS
These options are a variation on food you might make for a weekday meal, and the beauty is you can do just that and then make extra to pack into lunches.
• Wholemeal Tuna Pasta
Wholemeal pasta is healthier than white pasta – so try to use this variation where possible. Boil the pasta and simply mix with mayonnaise, tuna and sweet corn. You really can’t go wrong with this simple and filling lunch.
• Wholemeal Pitta Pizzas
A great one to get your kids involved with! Wholemeal pittas again are a better option that white pittas, but go with either depending on what your children like. Simply open them, spread some tomato passata as a base and top cheese and ham (or any other topping!) Grill for 5-6 mins until cheese is melted and voila. Pack into a box for lunch!
• Chicken and tomato pasta (with their favourite pasta shape)
Simple grilled chicken with a tomato pasta sauce, combine with their favourite pasta shape for a personalised twist! In another part of the lunchbox it might be a good idea to add some carrot sticks or fruit – so they’re getting some veggies too.
• Healthy chicken goujons, salad and paprika wedges
This is so easy and another one you can patch prepare! Simply roll some small chicken pieces in egg, and then cover in breadcrumbs. Cook in the oven alongside some potato wedges seasoned with paprika (or just plain) Add a combo of your child’s favourite veggies – perhaps cucumber sticks and carrots.
• Flaked salmon and veggies
If you’ve already introduced your little ones to fish, then this is a great one. Oven bake a salmon fillet and then simply flake it into smaller chunks. Pack into a box with veggies and some plain pasta. A squeeze of sweet chilli sauce also works brilliantly – if they like it!
HEALTHY COLD MEALS
• Turkey and salad wrap
Another one you can make in advance (perhaps 2-3 for to last a few days). Grab a wholemeal brown wrap, and pack with sliced turkey (or chicken) and fill with salad. Add a squeeze of mayo and roll into a compact wrap.
• Crackers, hummus and veggies (vegetarian)
Ideal if you have a lunchbox with compartments – just fill with some wholemeal crackers or oatcakes, a pot of hummus and lots of veggies. Best served with fruit in a compartment too!
• Italian brown baguette
Cheese, mayo, ham and rocket to make a child friendly baguette. Make sure you pack with lots of lettuce so they get the goodness of the greens – and sneak in some spinach too if you can.
• Ham and cheese roll up wrap
Very simple and a crowd pleaser. Brown wrap with cheese and ham – served in a lunchbox alongside chopped veggies like carrots, tomatoes and cucumber.
Snacks:
- Hard boiled eggs
- Fresh and dried fruit
- Pretzels
- Hummus and veggies
- Dried fruit roll ups
- Chunks of cheese
- Nuts
- Yogurt
