Give them power I say! Our kids that is – when they are involved in taking responsibility for their packed school lunch (and for their health in general) then success is more likely. The same goes for us working parents!

So participation is one of the Ps in ensuring we are well fuelled for our day.

When applied along with the other 7Ps, packing a lunch is easy and quick! We know that bringing our own brown paper bag to school or work is well worth the health investment..so get packing!

Here are all the 8-Ps to guide you in your mission to be healthier, while saving some $$$s.  Use theses tips to help you plan and prepare packed lunches for your workday, and for kids going to school.

PARTICIPANTS – Get Them Involved (There’s nothing like emPowerment!)

* If old enough, encourage kids to make their own healthy packed lunch.

* If younger, perhaps they can help with prepping, or putting produce into containers.

PREFERENCES – Let Them Choose

* Give them a range of options (we use lists of healthy mix & match items) and let the kids pick their preferences for the week.

* They are less likely to criticise their own choices.

PREPARE – Cook Extra

* e.g. make extra pancakes on weekend and use in a surprise ‘sandwich’ for snack

* When chopping morning fruits, include some also for lunch boxes, and add carrots, snap peas, sliced red peppers, etc.

* Always cook extra pasta, rice and grains. In the morning toss them with chopped veggies (or fruits – sweet rice dishes are great), with left over cooked fish, chicken etc.

PLAN – Save Time and Effort

* When making cookies, muffins, breads (savoury or sweet), make in large batches and freeze.

* This makes for ready-to-grab anytime snack items. Simply take out of the freezer in the morning, and they will thaw by lunchtime.

PATTERN – Theme Days

* Kids often like a sense of predictability. So once their preferences are identified, ask them to suggest fun theme days e.g. Meatless Pasta Monday; Chicken Sandwich Tuesdays.

* Variety can still be used (e.g. tomato, pesto or cheesy pasta), but a theme makes for easier planning on your part.

PORTIONS – Lots of Textures and Flavour

* Kids love to snack on different items, so Bento boxes are ideal – make little portions of various things that they like.

* If uneaten, these can be used as after school snacks.

PREVENT – Keeping Food Cool or Hot

* Thermos flasks come in all shapes and sizes, and are ideal for keeping food hot.

* Use ice-packs, frozen healthy juice cartons, frozen fruits, to keep foods cool until lunch time.

PLAYFUL – Think Colour and FUN

* Use colourful containers, and cutlery.

* Give kids a range of colourful fruits and veggies – as crudités, or chopped and mixed with pasta, rice, or grain of choice.

* Use little notes and riddles (you can get these online) so that your kids look forward to opening their lunch box.

* For younger kids, little toys from home can be buried amongst containers. A game of hide & seek with you having to hide!

There you have it! I hope this lists helps, as I know many of you really want to pack them off to school with their own healthy food.

As a reminder why you’re doing this, see my article on Fuel for School.

Visit Health and Vitality page to find out more about Liza's work.

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