How To Avoid Lunchbox Mistakes

Did you know that we can pack up to 200 lunches per child every school year? 

Packing lunches can often feel like another chore for parents. With busy mornings and trying to juggle nutrition and fussy kids, we might be making some easy to fix lunchbox mistakes. 

Boring Lunches 

Sticking to the same few foods can lead to boredom and disinterest in the lunches we pack.

Get the kids to pick out their own fun lunchboxes, lunch bags and drink bottles. It's way more fun to eat out of a Bluey lunchbox!

You can also some new recipes or present lunch in different ways. Just make sure you test them out on the kids on a weekend first to see which ones are a hit!

See all our recipe ideas here. 

Not Enough Nutrition 

It’s easy to focus on what’s quick and easy rather than what’s nutritious. A lunchbox filled with processed foods doesn’t provide the energy kids need for a full day of learning.

Aim for a balanced, whole food lunch that includes all the food groups, including vegetables! 

Overpacking or Underpacking

Packing too much can end up with overwhelm and food wastage, while not packing enough can leave kids hungry. 

Communicate with kids about how much they can manage. Serve up anything not eaten for lunch as the after school snack to avoid waste.

Soggy Lunches

Nobody wants to eat soggy sandwiches or crackers because things have leaked or squashed in the lunchbox. 

Use a good quality lunchbox or bento box with a leak-proof seal and different sections to keep everything separate. Silicone cups and containers can also help.

Neglecting Food Safety

Food poisoning can occur if food is contaminated or not kept hot or cold enough.

Invest in insulated lunch bags, insulated food jars and ice packs.  Pairing these with their airtight containers ensures food remain safe to eat until lunchtime.

Forgetting About Presentation

Food that looks fresh, fun and appealing is more likely to be eaten!

• Use cutters to shape sandwiches or fruits into cool designs.
• Use food picks for chopped up fruit, vegetables, cheese or meat.
• Use a fun container like a snackle box or spinner.

Not Involving Kids in the Process

When we don't involve the kids in the decision making process, they are less likely to eat what we have packed.

Start with food shopping and make it fun to select items for lunch. Involve them in the prep and get them excited about planning lunchboxes for the week. Use weekends for batch cooking snacks together. 

Involving kids in making lunchboxes early on will make it much easier to transition them to making their own lunches.

We hope these tips have been useful and will help avoid common lunchbox mistakes and ensure the kids are well-fed, happy and healthy!