This will ensure she doesn’t swap it for something less wholesome or not eat anything at all. Kids need protein to build strong bodies, calcium for bones and teeth, carbohydrates and healthy fats for long-lasting energy, and fresh fruit for vitamins and minerals.
They also enjoy diversity and a creative touch in their menus, so vary the lunches and keep them interesting and unpredictable. Add a drink and a treat to keep them going until home-time. Kids of different ages want and need different things from their lunch.
Make it simple for yourself by sticking to easy-to-prepare lunches and stocking up on essentials such as fresh and dried fruit, small, chewable treats like health bars, small cartons of juice and nuts.
Try these ideas for something tasty, nourishing and tempting!
Chicken pita bread
2 pita breads
10ml (2 tsp) butter
1 onion, sliced
1/2 green pepper, sliced
200g chicken, cut into strips
1 carrot, cut into strips
45ml (3T) sour cream
45ml (3T) mayonnaise
Method
Put pita in the microwave for 5 minutes. Cut each pita open by slicing a tiny strip off. In a frying pan, heat butter and sauté onion and green pepper for 3 minutes, then set aside. In the same pan, fry chicken until soft and tender.
Fill each pita with chicken, green pepper, onion and carrots. Mix sour cream and mayonnaise together and pour on top of the filling.
Sunken subs
Ingredients
2 hot dog rolls
20g (4 tsp) butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 x 410g can spaghetti in tomato and cheese sauce
3 slices ham, chopped
125ml (1/2 cup)cheddar cheese, grated
Method
Pre-heat oven to 180°C. Lightly grease an oven tray. Cut rolls in half horizontally and place on tray. Heat butter in a pan, add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Brush a little on each roll, then fill with canned spaghetti
and ham. Top with cheese. Bake for 12 minutes or until cheese melts and bread is crispy.
Ham and cheese roll
Ingredients
1 small French roll
4 slices ham, cut into half-triangular shapes
250ml (1 cup) grated cheese
Method
Heat oven to 180°C. Lightly grease a baking tray. Slice the French roll (not quite through) 6-8 times. Trim the cold meat to about the size of the diameter of the bread. Place a slice of ham in each cut. Sprinkle cheese on top of the loaf. Place in the oven for 1-2 minutes until cheese has melted. Serve cut through.