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!

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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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