Kids School Lunches - 13 Alternatives to Promote Health and Nutrition and Avoid Fast Food

For parents, providing your kids with healthy,though).7. Cordial or fizzy drinks -- why not try*
nutritional lunches that they find interesting can beWater is the best option to add to any lunch box.
quite a challenge. The "if it is good for you then it* Dairy, soy or rice milk are also good
must be boring" mentality makes this particularlyalternatives.8. Chocolate spreads -- why not try*
challenging and you have such favorites as lollies,Sesame seed spread (tahini).
sweets and fizzy drinks to compete with.Don't* Humous.
despair, it can be done and here are 13* Dip such as yoghurt, avocado or one that you
alternatives to get you started. Instead of...1. Highmake yourself, dipping for example, pitta bread or
fat savoury biscuits -- why not try* Plain drycut up vegetables.9. Lollies / sweets -- why not
crackers, rice cakes, corn thins or Scottishtry* Dried fruit, nuts and raisins.
oatcakes.* Make a nibbles bag with a variety of nuts and
* Raw carrots or celery cut into small pieces aredried fruit and add sesame, pumpkin and
also an excellent choice.2. Pies, pastry or sausagesunflower seeds.10. Chips / crisps or hot chips --
rolls -- why not try* Meat or cheese sandwicheswhy not try* Hot homemade soups with the
or pasta with mince beef sauces (you can buyaddition of sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
wheat/gluten free bread and pasta if required).* Pecan nuts, almonds and flax seed are all great
* Tuna and sweetcorn.snacks as they are high in essential fatty acids
* Brown rice (or white) with tuna and roastedand are best eaten raw (cooking them can
vegetables.destroy the essential fatty acid component).The
* Falafel (Lebanese delicacy made from chickbest way to encourage your children to eat these
peas).3. Processed meats such as frankfurters,is to add them to soups as an alternative to
salami or other -- why not try* Mince burgercroutons and to sprinkle them on yoghurt and
(home made), lentil burgers or bean burgers.cereal/muesli in the morning.11. Fruit leather straps
* Leftovers from main meals.- why not try* If you have your own fruit drier,
* Quality ham (e.g. Virginia) or cooked bacon,then you can dry the fruit yourself.
which has been grilled, and the fat/rind removed.* Fresh fruit, plain dried fruit e.g. sultanas, dried
* Quality sausages that are mostly meat and notapricots, mixed nuts, 100% fruit bars.12. Donuts --
too fatty (gluten free sausages are a greatwhy not try* Raisin bread (you can buy wheat
alternative if you can find them).4. Biscuits (creamfree raisin bread if required).
filled or chocolate) -- why not try* Crackers or* Muffins.
plain sweet biscuits, oatcakes, rice crackers or* Flapjacks.
rice cakes.You can make these interesting by* Scottish oatcakes with a banana.
having different topics like tuna and sweet corn or* Tuna and sweetcorn.13. Potato crisps, corn
avocado (too much avocado may be regarded aschips, or similar snack food - why not tryRice
fattening).5. Chocolate / candy bars - why notcrackers, or rice cakes with a homemade dip or
try* Cheese cubes or dried fruit or yoghurt withspread, or a bought one as long as it has a low
fresh fruit to add to it.fat content.Helen Thompson is a qualified child
* Dairy products may make you feel bloated, socare worker (Nursery Nurse) and Brain Gym
sheep's or goat's yogurt make a great alternativeconsultant who has spent many years working
to cows yoghurt and have a different texturewith children aged between 0 - 8 years. Helen
and taste. They are less bulky and easier toaims to provide busy parents, carers and
digest).6. Muesli bars and breakfast bars (theseteachers with fun and educational activities for
are often full of sugar and preservatives) -- whychildren to develop their creativity.Her website at
not try* Fresh fruit such as grapes, melon cubes,includes recipes, craft activities and more. To be
oranges or mandarins/satsumas.kept informed of new additions to the site, please
* Nut muesli bars (check the ingredients firstsubscribe to her newsletter.