It’s true that kids perform and better at school full tummies, but it’s also true that this sounds easier to achieve than it is!

Producing a lunch box every school day that is not only healthy but also has things in it that will actually be eaten is a task that requires some forethought and effort. While the kids think that food somehow miraculously appears in the pantry and fridge to be popped into the lunch box, we all know there is much more to it than that. When the lunchbox comes home untouched (except for the sweet stuff) it can be frustrating.

The components

Planning for the week ahead will help ensure variety, a healthy balance, and hopefully food that is happily eaten. Although your kids will tell you everyone else has a lunchbox groaning with chips, flavoured milk and other sugar laden treats, this is assuredly not the case! There are 5 main components of a well balanced lunch:

The main item – this is the one that will provide the main ‘bulk’ for the day. Traditionally this was a sandwich but luckily you can now mix it up a bit. Cut it in to smaller serves to encourage them to eat a bit of this at morning tea time. This will fill them up a bit and also mean they will not get ‘bored’ with a large serve. The main item will likely include all the good stuff such as grains, protein and some vegetables.

Here are some great ideas for the lunch box main event:

• Mexican Pan Frittata
• Zucchini, cottage cheese and corn baked frittata

Fruit, veges and nuts – some children prefer it if the fruit is cut, others like to tackle a whole apple, mandarin or banana. Do what they are most likely to eat! Vegetables can include cucumber, carrot, capsicum, cherry tomatoes, and celery. If your school allows nuts you could try peanuts, cashews, pistachios and brazil nuts (these contain selenium – a trace element New Zealand soils lack).

A treat – muesli bar, muffin, biscuits, home baking

Protein – essential for so many of our body’s functions  there are many ways you can get extra protein in to their lunch:
• Hard-boiled egg
• Yoghurt
• Cheese
• Tuna

Planning is winning

Planning out the week ahead will help ensure your child has enough food in their lunchbox each day without you having to do a quick early morning dash to the dairy. If they have something on at school such as sports day, pack a bit more of everything.

Download this handy planner and map out the week, noting what you will need to get from the supermarket in the column on the right. Repeating the planner on a weekly or fortnightly routine will further reduce the time you spend planning and shopping.

See more recipes perfect for the lunchbox ‘Main Event’

• Mexican Pan Frittata
• Zucchini, cottage cheese and corn baked frittata
• Cheesy Bites
• Vegetable Fritters
• Tomato and Ham Bake

Written by Robyn Cody

Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments. 

Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass”