So we are well into the first term of the school year. The excitement is slowly wearing off and energy levels in the morning are not so high anymore (as if they ever were!), and I have started DREADING the morning routine which has now become a blur between breakfast and running out the door. Putting together the school lunchbox for my boys’, aged 6 and 3, is probably THE most difficult task of the day.
In this article, I will share tips and tricks I use for quick and healthy snacks and lunches to suit all types of eaters.
Tip 1: Don’t be afraid of leftovers
Leftovers from dinner the night before are actually lifesavers! Whether it’s daal chaawal (lentils and rice) or chicken saalan curry, if you learn the art of presentation, your kids can eat a full meal in school.
For anything rice-based like chaawal qeema I use the insulated Thermos Food jars. These keep the food warm and fresh until lunch break and act as a bowl to help my kids eat without making a mess.
On days that I have leftover chicken or any other curry, I just take out the meat, wash away the curry and mash it up with mayonnaise to make a chicken sandwich or paratha roll and voila, I have a meal.
And our personal favourite is leftover PIZZA!
Tip 2: Use pasta as an alternative to rice
Giving rice more than 2 times a week means getting rice back in their lunch box. The best alternative to this is pasta or noodles. My quick and easy go-to pasta recipe is:
- Boil the pasta a night before along with boiled chicken (with a dash of salt and pepper)
- Store it in the fridge
The next morning, warm up a helping of pasta and chicken. Add butter generously and you have Butter Pasta with Chicken for lunch.
Once again, give this in a steel jar or box to keep it warm and fresh and soft.
Tip 3: Make heavy snacks
Let’s address the parents who were rolling their eyes in the above section because their kids would NEVER touch rice or anything they have eaten the night before. Some kids just need more snack-based meals and there’s no reason to think these can’t be healthy and proper meals that can also be prepared quickly and easily first thing in the morning. On days I have not boiled rice or pasta in advance I am saved by BREAD.
Two slices of bread covered generously in butter with a slice of cheddar cheese is my two-minute sandwich.
However, to make this a little more substantial I add anything and everything from the fridge that I know my kids will eat. These can include:
- Turkey slices to give that dose of protein (but I would only recommend this once in two weeks as turkey is processed meat).
- Those Shaami Kebabs that us desi moms always have stored in our freezers is a great addition also.
(Extra tip: I use my beloved Air Fryer to save frying time in the morning. I just have to defrost the kebabs in the microwave and put them in the air fryer while I get the kids ready. If you don’t have the option of an air fryer, you can fry them the night before and heat them up in the morning to save time).
- Homemade or store-bought frozen chicken or beef burger patties with ketchup and mayonnaise on burger buns to make a yummy burger.
(Extra tip: Add vegetables only if your kids enjoy them and only the ones they prefer. You don’t want a perfectly good burger going to waste!)
Tip 4: Eggs are your best friend
Generally, my kids eat scrambled eggs in the morning. But on days I need to give them eggs for lunch (because I have nothing else in the fridge), I give them cereal or croissants for breakfast. And then I use eggs to make the following lunches:
- Fry an egg. Toast 2 slices of bread and put butter on both. Grab a slice of cheese. Put them together to make the easiest egg sandwich.
- Make two slices of French Toast and add some cheese slices in the box to make it a substantial meal.
- Boil eggs during the weekend. Mash. Add salt, pepper and mayonnaise. Store the mixture in the fridge for upcoming school mornings to make a different kind of egg sandwich.
- 2 minute Egg Quiche: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a mug. Add 1 egg, 2 tablespoon milk, salt and pepper, any other topping like spinach or tomatoes or turkey. Place broken bread on top and dip it in so it’s wet. Microwave for 2 minutes. Once done scoop it out in one whole piece.
Tip 5: Add small bites for a full stomachs
Rice, pasta, sandwich, burgers, paratha rolls – we have covered our grains here. But my kids need more favours and fun things to keep them going during the day.
There are many snacks one can give such as biscuits, chips and cakes. But under the health policy in our schools, chips, chocolates and anything with frosting is a no-no.
I mostly alternate between the following snacks for my kids as I know they will actually eat them.
- Fruits: Bananas, Apples, Grapes, Oranges, Strawberries
- Vegetables: Baby Carrots, Cucumbers
- Others: Plain Cake, Cheese Sticks, Crackers and Cheese, Plain Biscuits
An alternative for kids who don’t enjoy fruits are:
- Banana cupcakes
- Apple Crumble
- Blueberry Muffins
Healthy alternatives for chips are cereals or crackers. I give my boys protein cereals or cheddar crackers for them to nibble at during snack or lunchtime.
Apart from that, I am also a firm believer of water versus juices as they too contain a large amount of sugar. But sometimes when I feel like the food and snacks will not be enough I add flavoured milk or juice for some extra energy. This way they are not weighted by oil or heavy sugars and spend an active day.
Hope these tips help you during rushed mornings for the rest of the remaining term and you are able to feel better about your children’s lunch menu in school!
