Back to school means back to the challenge of finding the right lunch for kids and their quirks
Back to school! I wonder how many parents across Australia are heaving as big a sigh of relief as I am that the school holidays have finally ended. Its been lazy days of pools and parks, playdates with friends, fun trips to keep the boys busy, late
nights and relaxed mealtimes, but I for one will confess, that going back into a routine fills me with enthusiasm.And now that new uniforms, schoolbags and pencil cases have been purchased, its time to start thinking about how to fill lunchboxes with goodies that will actually get eaten before playtime.My friends have been enthusiastic with ideas on what to include in a lunchbox that makes for a healthy meal, but one that is sufficiently appealing for children of different ages and with conflicting tastes. I have noticed that some children are not fussed about eating food cold, as long as it’s a familiar and favourite dish.Having researched countless recipes for wholesome lunches that involve wraps, sandwiches and salads I have come to the conclusion that it’s best to keep it simple and appealing. Understand what your child enjoys and work around these options, even if they may not seem the healthiest. So if your child likes quiches more than wraps or sandwiches, offer them a variety of options of quiche which are easy to make and can be frozen, to be popped into a lunchbox when packing it for school.Here are some tips on lunches that are wholesome, tasty and will actually get eaten!
Wrapping it up
Lately, wraps have become all the craze, and one wonders what the fuss is all about. After all, like a good friend claims, we’ve been eating chappatis and rotis for years!
• Take a wrap. Cover one side with a thin layer of mayonnaise, tomato sauce, mustard or all three, if your tastebuds don’t object. Add a few slices of ham, silverside, roast beef, shredded chicken, turkey or bacon. Roll into a tight cylinder. Place in
lunchbox.
• To make the wrap healthier, add some lettuce, baby spinach or other salad combos
• Instead of including tomato or cucumber slices which tend to make the wrap soggy, place them on the side of the wrap to be eaten as a salad
• If you don’t like prepacked wraps in wholemeal, multigrain or white sold in supermarkets, simply use regular rotis or chappatis instead
• Be adventurous – try Lebanese bread, khabboos or tortillas too
• Use fillings like lentil sprouts over a thin spread of lime or mango pickle or dry potato subji over a spread of coconut chutney