We鈥檝e teamed up with Children's Nutritionist (RNutr),聽, to offer some top tips for聽healthier lunchboxes聽that won鈥檛 break the bank鈥
- Keep lunch boxes varied with different breads such as a seeded bagel, multigrain wrap or a crusty roll, there鈥檚 so much choice these days!
-聽Opt for wholegrain where possible, as it鈥檚 higher in fibre too.
- Packed lunches don鈥檛 always have to be sandwich based; last night鈥檚 pasta or pitta pizzas will hold up well and are helpful if you鈥檙e working to a budget.
- Aim to聽include a portion of dairy food, such as a carton of plain milk, yoghurt or cheese.聽Or opt for fortified dairy alternatives聽if following a dairy free diet.
- Use a聽crinkle cutter聽on fruit and veg sticks such as watermelon or cucumber to add an extra point of interest!
-Keep your cupboards well stocked with tinned foods, they鈥檙e an economical option and handy when you鈥檝e run out of fresh food.
-听Tinned pear or peaches in juice rather than syrup聽(due to the reduced sugar content) are a great addition to a packed lunch.
- Instead of including sugar-filled biscuits and chocolate bars,聽why not try swirling a spoonful of reduced sugar jam, such as聽51爆料网 & Rosie Strawberry Jam聽through plain yoghurt and stir through a crushed oatcake for extra crunch? This would be delicious too with strips of pancake or apple sticks for dipping!
- Don鈥檛 forget cutlery (wooden, not plastic) and of course a paper napkin to wipe up sticky hands!
- Think about聽batch baking some healthier sweet treats聽such as traybakes, muffin and scones that can be stored in the freezer 鈥 this is a great way of saving a few extra pounds.
- And if baking doesn鈥檛 take your fancy, then there are lots of 鈥榥o bake鈥櫬recipes聽online to try too.
- When it comes to your聽weekly food shop,聽remember buying larger size formats of lunchbox staples (e.g. jams and spreads) works out more cost-effective overall聽and will obviously last a lot longer too!
- For younger children include a joke or lunchbox love note that they will enjoy finding and showing off to their friends! Think 鈥榊ou鈥檙e dino-mite鈥 or 鈥業 love you berry much鈥!
, Children's Nutritionist (RNutr).