5 Hassle-free lunchbox wins that your child will love

Packing a lunch box needn’t be a chore and school snacks for kids can be healthy and yummy all at the same time. Stock your kitchen with staples and essentials that feel more like treats. 

1. The lunch box 

It all starts with the container. Compartments are practical for preventing accidental pairings (like chocolate-cheese-sarmie) and also make a packed lunch more exciting. Who doesn’t love a mezze? Clicks has compartmentalised lunch boxes for sale in a range of fun designs and themes. If weekdays are manic, try meal prepping on a Sunday, using colour-coded lunch boxes for different days of the week. 

2. Bagged to go 

Children who play sport or have other extramurals after school may want extra snacks, in which case lunch bags come in super handy. Look for options with a holder for one or more juice bottles to lower the likelihood of the bottle landing up in lost property. 

3. Supersize water bottle 

Water intake is important for older kids and teens, especially in summer, if they play sport, or take part in other active extramurals, like dance or drama. Tip: Add sliced fruit for natural flavour if your child doesn’t like drinking water.

4. Yummy lunches 

Try one of the Buttanutt creamy nut butters. They are a healthier alternative to sugary chocolate spreads. The healthy fats in nuts are good for brain function and boosting concentration, as well as keeping your child fuller for longer. Honey has a lower glycaemic index than sugar, so it’s less likely to cause the rapid energy spikes and subsequent crashes that are typical with sugary foods. Choose low-GI bread as well. 

5. Healthy snacks 

Snacks for kids don’t have to be unhealthy. Try popped rice treats, which are just as crunchy and flavourful as chips, but lower in calories, fat and sodium. Practise portion control by packing in a small packet of lower-calorie sweeties. Or forgo the sweets altogether and pack in a healthy sweet treat, like a date bar. If your child is gluten or wheat intolerant, a few gluten-free cookies in their lunch box will make sure they don’t feel left out when a classmate brings birthday cake.
 
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