Packing yummy and nutritious lunch for your child

(Parents and children’s caregivers did so in the pre-pandemic era. This may guide them to prepare meals for kids at home. I wonder how they are missing break time/ lunch hour/ canteens in school.)

The favourite time of a child’s school hours is usually tiffin time. Once the bell for recess rings, kids know that it is the time for fun, games and grabbing their favourite bite.

Don’t buy a dabba for your child. Kids don’t need such a big container and would be more eager to have their lunch if a cute lunch box with cartoon characters is bought for them instead.

Regarding the contents of the lunch box, there should be variety. Nutritionist Niti Desai advises, “Avoid giving dal and roti every day as your child may find it monotonous. For lunch, you have several options for a child- a frankie, chicken sandwich, egg sandwich, vegetable sandwich, paneer paratha, dal paratha, chicken patties, coleslaw sandwich, etc. Avoid packing samosas, vadapao, biriyani and pulao. If you are packing snacks you can pack fruits, gram, sprouts, boiled channa and salad dips.”

Encourage the child to choose her/ his favourite fruits and vegetables which she/ he would like to take for lunch. Avoid packing food she/ he has an aversion to.

Change the menu daily as nobody likes to have the same food every day. Try out new recipes regularly to add greater variety.

Arrange the food very attractively in the lunch box. If necessary buy one with insulation in which food stays fresh.

If you have the time, cut fruits and vegetables into different funky shapes. When your child opens her/ his lunch box if she/ he sees a lunch box with a variety of colours carved into cute shapes, she/ he will be tempted to sample the menu.

Offer a variety of food in the lunch box. Do include a treat too like a sweet or chocolate. However, do not pack the box with simply junk food.

Make sure to give your child a balanced meal. If necessary consult your paediatrician or nutritionist on how to plan your child’s meal. Make sure to give a bottle with enough drinking water.

Taking into consideration that many kids do not wish to wash their hands, keep a butter knife, fork and spoon in the lunch box. Roll a napkin, so that she/ he can wipe her/ his face.

Kids often share food at break time. However, tell your child to try that the whole of her/ his nutritious lunch isn’t exchanged with someone else’s junk food tiffin instead. Train her/ him to be cautious to choose nutritious food from other lunch boxes while sharing.

Buying unhealthy food regularly from the canteen is what your child should avoid. If you give your child delicious lunch, she/ he may not buy greasy and spicy food instead. Bon Appetite!

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https://pixabay.com/photos/sandwich-salad-vegetarian-cheese-4112566/: Picture Courtesy: Image by silviarita from Pixabay 

 

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