We all know that a healthy lunch is essential to enable kids to do their best at school and school lunches have improved significantly over the past few years.
Healthy packed lunches, on the other hand, can cause parents significant worry. How do you know your child is getting a balanced diet and why is the healthier food always more expensive?
The simple answer is that healthy food doesn’t have to be more expensive. In fact, the healthy options are often far more affordable. The key is to take care with your shopping list and avoid many of the common lunch-box pitfalls. You can ensure that your child gets a healthy, balanced lunch every day of the week.
Get the Balance Right
A healthy, balanced lunchbox should contain the essentials of a good diet. Wholegrain carbohydrates will provide slow-release energy. Good examples are wholemeal bread and pasta, wholegrain pitta breads and tortillas and wholemeal pasta.
White bread just won’t keep your children feeling full for long enough. The carbohydrates should form the main basis of your child’s lunch and will help them to concentrate through the afternoons classes.
Protein-rich foods provide the essential building blocks for growth and development and there are plenty to choose from. Tuna, chicken and turkey are great and non-meat alternatives can include foods such as tofu, eggs, pulses and beans.
There are enough options for a different meal every day so there’s no risk of your kids getting bored. Another great option is to always make a little extra of your child’s favourite dinner, then give it to them for their lunch the following day.
Fruit and vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre and are a vital part of a healthy packed lunch. They can also be a lot of fun. Try strips of carrots and cucumber with a pot of hummus. Peppers and cherry tomatoes are another firm favourite. Apples, pears and bananas are all good, low-cost options too.
Dairy products provide calcium. Calcium builds healthy bones and teeth so it is a vital component of a healthy packed lunch. Avoid processed products as they are often incredibly high in salt with minimal nutritional benefits.
Ways to Keep the Costs of Your Lunchbox Down
Despite what the marketing materials might say, most pre-packaged food simply isn’t healthy. In fact, a good rule of thumb is that if it’s advertised on TV it probably isn’t good for you.
Food companies have cottoned on to parents fears about providing healthy and nutritious foods and exploited them to the maximum. They might advertise certain foods as “packed with calcium” or “enriched with vitamins” but unfortunately they are often packed with unhealthy elements too and they are expensive.
Avoid processed cheese products and just add a chunk of real cheese instead. The same goes for yoghurts – buy a pot of natural yoghurt for pennies and add your own healthy toppings.
Not only will you save money, but your kids’ food will be healthier too. If you’re struggling with household bills you must look at everything, from food costs to home insurance. You may be able to save money by comparing prices on your bills online.
Although pre-cut, pre-packaged portions and ready-made drinks might seem more convenient, it is a far better option to invest in some small, reusable containers and bottles. They don’t take much time to fill with healthier alternatives and you can be sure that your child gets a healthy, nutritious and low-cost meal every day of the week.
Post written by Jeff, a British money saving blogger on behalf SO Switch. You can visit their website by clicking here.