It’s an exciting time for 5 year old Nate Stanbury as he gets ready to start Kindergarten on the 30th of January.
It’s safe to assume the thought of starting school would be pretty daunting for young children but it’s clear the thought hasn’t yet crossed Nate’s mind. When asked what he is most looking forward to about starting school next week, he says it’s just being able to play with his good mates Marcus and Jack every day.
For Nate’s mum Mel it’s a mixture of emotions, as she prepares to send her eldest child to school. Among the crisp, clean and unworn uniforms, shiny boots and new school bag is a colourful new lunchbox that like many parents, Mel is already considering what she will be filling it with.
With recent research showing a link be- tween hyperactivity and behavioural issues in children due to the consumption of highly processed, chemically added and sugar rich foods, the trend of parents returning to healthier homemade and more nutritional lunchbox alternatives has risen in recent years. Ideally your child’s lunchbox should include a balanced combination of protein for strong muscles and bones, vegetables for fibre, fruit for a range of vitamins, minerals and to support a healthy immune system, wholegrain carbohydrates which are an excellent energy source for active children, dairy or soy for calcium and of course the best drink for keeping kids hydrated, water.
To ease the headache for busy parents we’ve listed below some homemade lunchbox ideas to keep your kids satisfied and on the ball.
Healthy lunch box ideas:
- Muesli slice
- Rock cakes
- Banana muffins
- Air popped popcorn
- Fruit salad
- Zucchini slice
- Cupcake quiches
- Corn fritters
- Cheese and biscuits
- Boiled eggs
- Salad sticks
- Frozen Fruit
IMAGE:
Nate Stanbury, ready to start Kindergarten