Every household faces the challenge of preparing school lunchboxes, leaving parents wondering what to offer their children during the long school day that spans from 7 AM to 3 PM.
It's a lengthy period during which children exert significant mental and physical effort.
Here are some crucial tips for preparing a nutritious and beneficial school lunchbox.
1. Prepare Wholesome and Economical Options:
Instead of purchasing processed luncheon meats, consider buying boneless chicken breasts, seasoning them, and roasting them in the oven or on the stovetop.
Once cooked and cooled, slice them thinly to replace processed luncheon meat. This option is delicious, healthy, and free from preservatives.
2. Include Fruits and Vegetables:
Vegetables and fruits are essential for the body. Carrots, for instance, are a nutritional treasure that retains all its nutrients whether raw or cooked.
You can present them as thin crunchy sticks or serve them boiled.
3. Offer Energy-Boosting Sandwiches:
Make sandwiches that provide your child with the right kind of energy, primarily derived from natural sugars.
Bananas are essential for muscle function and can be used to make a sandwich with a touch of cinnamon and honey. Dates or soft, black figs can also serve as an energy source.
4. Incorporate Nuts:
Nuts, in all their varieties, are beneficial and contain essential oils for brain function and overall nutrition.
You can add a small portion of peanuts, almonds, or cashews. Buying them in quantities as little as 100 grams and storing them in the refrigerator allows you to provide three units daily in the lunchbox.
5. Avoid Eggs and Sugary Drinks:
Skip offering eggs, whether boiled or fried, as they can produce off-putting odors that disturb your child and their classmates.
Replace them with white or yellow cheese or mashed boiled potatoes. Also, avoid providing your child with artificial fruit juices loaded with sugar, which can lead to excessive hyperactivity during the school day.
Contributed by Israa Farhan
Lunchbox