School Lunchbox Ideas

School Lunchbox Ideas for dairy free kids!

My eldest child is starting school next week, and as his childcare centre used to provide most of his food, it is a whole new adventure to be sending him with packed lunches each day. I am delighted with the no junk food policy in his school. One thing that is essential for a 5 year old is that he is able to handle opening his own lunch. The last thing the teacher needs is 30 kids needing their oranges peeled. Here are my favourite dairy free ideas to fill his lunch box each day:

Fruit or Veg   + Sandwich with protein +  Healthy Treat

Fruit or Veg

Strawberries
Blueberries
Grapes
Cut up melon
Cut up apple
Peeled mandarins
Banana
Cucumber
Carrot sticks
Peppers
Cherry tomatoes

Sandwich / Wrap /Roll/Pitta/ Homemade brown bread/ Brown Scone with:

Ham
Chicken
Turkey
Egg
Corned Beef
Tuna & sweetcorn
Salmon
Peanut butter*
Almond butter*

*many schools do not allow nut butters if there is a child with a nut allergy attending.

And if you’re lucky enough that your kids will eat these:

Tomatoes
Cucumber
Lettuce
Sweetcorn
Peppers
Carrot Sticks

Healthy Treat

Home made flapjacks
Fruit muffins
Banana bread
Scone
Granola bars
Innocent fruit tubes
Fruit in jelly
Raisins
Dried fruit
Soy or coconut Yogurt
Dry Cheerios

Some tips:

  • You can freeze the fruit tubes so they are still cold at lunchtime.
  • Use silicon cupcake cases to separate different foods within lunchbox e.g. grapes, carrot sticks etc.
  • Tell your child they must put what they don’t eat back into the lunch box and not into the bin, that way you will know what they are eating and not eating.
  • Teach your child to peel fruit and open packets that you plan to give them for lunches. Practice at home.
  • Ensure your child can open and close lunchbox and bottle, again, practice at home.
  • Ensure your child practices washing hands before all meals at home and remind them to do it at school.
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