What's in your Lunchbox?
Coming up with different, healthy and fun lunch box ideas for the kid's can be difficult and with all the scary stories about salt and sugar in processed foods it's hard to know what you should use. I find I seem to pack the same lunch time and time again, sandwich, grapes, and a biscuit or little cake. So here are a few ideas to spice things up. Enjoy.
Change the Bread
Just like adults, kids can get bored with sandwiches. Why not try using the same fillings, but add excitement by changing the bread. You can try pitta bread, bagels or tortilla wraps. For a real change, try packing crackers or breadsticks separately from the filling. Your child then assembles the crackers and filling into sandwiches, or dips the breadsticks in. Great fun!
Make those sandwiches fun:
If you decide to pack a traditional sandwich, try cutting the bread with fun shapes using a cookie cutter. You'll be amazed at how a boring cheese sandwich will get gobbled up when shaped into a flower or dinosaur!
Go For Fingers Foods:
Sometimes kids, especially younger ones, don't like to eat a whole sandwich or bowl of food. Instead you can try preparing cut up cubes of cheese, grapes, baby tomatoes, carrot sticks, pretzels, mini crackers, and ham cubes. Finger foods are really very appealing for all ages! Place in a container with individual compartments or just a standard one for a fun lunch. You can also try cutting sandwiches into small rectangles or triangles for easier eating.
Pinwheels Anyone?
Instead of sandwiches try pinwheels. Cut the crust from two slices of bread, and flatten using a rolling pin. Spread thinly with cream cheese, and add a slice of ham. Roll each slice into a log shape. Wrap in cling film and place in freezer for about 30 minutes. Unwrap and cut into pinwheel rounds.
Dip It:
Kids love dipping stuff. For an easy and nutritious lunch snack you can cut apple wedges and serve with a strawberry or peanut butter dip. Cut up veggies are brilliant served with a hommus or cream cheese dip. For a more substantial lunch add pieces of pitta bread, breadsticks or crackers.
