What Can I Put in the Lunchbox

WHAT CAN I PUT IN THE LUNCHBOX?

When starting school or nursery it is very exciting to be able to take your own packed lunch. It is a sign of growing up to be able to choose what you want to eat first from the selection in front of you when mum is not there. HINTS:

Choose a lunchbox that can be easily opened.

Choose a juice container that can be easily opened and closed to prevent juice or water leaking everywhere.

Teach your child the order food should be eaten.

Encourage your child to help prepare the lunch each day although you should make the main decisions about the content.

WHAT CAN I GIVE?

Brown bread should be encouraged or you could use high fibre white bread or a sandwich of 1 slice of brown and 1 of white.

FILLINGS could be cold meat, cheese, spreading cheese, salad, sandwich paste, or tuna. Try not to use chocolate spread or jam too often. Some children may prefer plain bread and butter and will take cold meat or cheese portions and salad vegetables along with it.

FRUIT – oranges can be difficult to peel - cut into sections and wrap in cling film. Bananas do not always survive the trip in a lunchbox, so choose firm ones. Good fruit to choose are: grapes, apples, nectarines, satsumas or kiwis. Pineapples and strawberries are suitable if put into a container.

RAW VEGETABLES – carrot sticks, chunks of cucumber, sticks of peppers and cherry tomatoes are popular.

BISCUITS – bars, digestive biscuits, biscuits with dried fruit, cake containing dried fruit, oatcakes sandwiched together with spreading cheese are suitable.

MOUSSES – tubs of jelly, yoghurts or fromage frais are good filler, but can be messy if not finished and remember to include a spoon.

DRINKS – The nursery will provide water or milk for your child. If you do provide a drink for your child would you please ensure that all drinks are sugar free.

Children are easily put off favourite foods by the comments of friends e.g. by using pitta bread, wraps, tubs of pasta, salad or foods with a strong smell such as egg. So make sure your child really enjoys these foods before using them.

As a health promoting nursery we would advise not including sweets, chocolate cakes or chocolate bars in your child’s lunchbox.

WHAT IF THE LUNCH IS NOT EATEN? Try to find out why – the most common reason is lack of time because of enthusiasm to get out to play. Give more foods that can be taken into the playground such as fruit, cereal bars or small packets of raisins.

Are their friends making fun of the lunch? Try plain sandwiches, fruit and a drink.

Are you giving too much? Cut down the number of items.

Young children will generally bring home what they do not eat; therefore you will have a good idea if you are giving too much.

Above advice given by a Senior Dietician, Yorkhill NHS Trust.