We're back in school season, with the return of busy mornings: waking up your little ones; making their breakfast; helping them to find their uniform and get dressed; making sure they've brushed their teeth and their hair; packing up their lunch ready for the day ahead.
As most schools now offer the option to have a cooked dinner in school, some might wonder why so many families choose to include lunch prep in this chaotic morning mix.
If you're a parent who's already packing lunches every day, you know the benefits already: it allows you to ensure balanced nutrition, cater to their preferences, and build healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.
But on the other hand, if you're wondering why the humble packed lunch remains so popular, wonder no more: this article is for you.
Here are six great reasons why children and their parents still choose the lunchbox.
1. You're in control of what your child eats
When you prepare your child's meals and snacks yourself, you know you're choosing the right ingredients and the flavours they'll enjoy. You know how much fat, salt and sugar are in the foods you choose, and the portion size that's right for them. And you know which products your child enjoys.
It's also a great way to introduce new fruits, vegetables or textures to your child's diet: they'll be hungry by the time they sit down to their lunch, and they'll be in a familiar setting with their friends, so probably more inclined to try something new.
Did you know?: The NHS recommends making lunches more exciting for kids by giving them wraps and pots of fillings to make themselves, as well as dipping foods as a fun change from sandwiches.
2. You save money daily
Packed lunches usually cost less than school meals. Especially if you're making your child's snacks and sandwiches at home, rather than buying them in a store.
In just a few weeks, you’ll notice the savings. And when you invest in durable, reusable containers, the initial cost quickly pays off.
Australia’s number 1 lunchbox [we need a different name for it for UK audience] from b.box offers a versatile approach to lunch packing. The lunchbox features a large compartment that fits a whole sandwich, with an included gel cooler pack that sits underneath the tray to keep food fresher and cooler for longer. Or, remove the sandwich tray, and the compartment now easily fits pasta and salads.
See more here
3. You can plan and prep meals ahead
Assuming you're a three-meals-a-day family, your child's school lunches account for almost 24% of their weekly meals. They're not only hugely important to your little one's health and nutrition, but they also have a big impact on your family's meal planning and eating schedules.
With a packed lunch, you can ensure your child is getting a balanced diet through the week. There's no risk of them eating chips twice in one day: you can incorporate packed lunches into all of your meal planning and shopping, making sure they eat from all of the food groups, and get all of their five-a-day, every day.
You can also prep school lunches ahead: there's no need to rush around each morning getting the lunchbox ready. By making your child's meal in advance, and packing the lunchbox the night before school, you can save time in the mornings and even build a comforting ritual with your little one.
They'll look forward to opening a lunchbox that feels familiar and special, knowing their favourite foods are inside: now it's not just a container for food, but a treasured routine, a gesture of love.
4. You can adapt to their schedule
On those busy days when your child has sports in the afternoon, a school outing, an after-school playdate, or a relative picking them up, a well-packed lunchbox becomes your best ally.
Did you know?: Kids who do sports need about 1-1.4g of protein per kilo of body weight each day to keep their muscles strong and their focus sharp.
Fill it with a mix of protein and quick-energy foods: cheese cubes, a hard-boiled egg, hummus with veggie sticks, a banana, berries, or wholegrain bread.
With the right snacks, you’re helping them refuel between activities so they can give their best, on the field and in the classroom. And with a leak-proof, compartmentalised lunchbox, you can include everything from dips and yogurts to fruit purées, without any mess.
5. You can easily accommodate special dietary needs
Preparing a lunchbox is also the best way to meet your child’s specific dietary needs when they're out of the home. If your child has gluten or lactose intolerance, other allergies, diabetes, a vegetarian diet, or special dietary requirements due to religion, you need to be in control of what they're eating.
In some school cafeterias or public places, options can be very limited, and that can pose a real risk of accidental exposure or your child not eating enough.
By preparing the lunchbox yourself, you can be confident that there will be no diet-related stress or unpleasant surprises during the day.
6. You'll create bonding moments and encourage independence
Involving your child in preparing their lunchbox helps them better understand what they eat, make good choices, and express their own preferences.
Lunchbox prep becomes a shared moment and an activity in itself, also helping the child understand the effort parents put into meal prep.
They can even decorate their box or choose their favorite snacks from a pre-approved list: a small gesture for you, a big step towards autonomy for them.
Meals can be a daily headache for parents and children alike. With the humble lunchbox, you answer these questions:
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How can I make sure my child eats well and healthily?
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How can I control my child’s portion sizes?
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How can I feed my child while saving money?
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How can I reduce morning stress before school?
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How can I save time and spend more moments with my kids?
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How can I feed a child with dietary restrictions at school?
To start the school year right, check out our selection of school essentials at uk.bbox.com – and enjoy packing up with your little one!
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Sources : https://www.nutrition.org.uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/