3 Benefits of a Healthy Lunchbox

Way back, when I was in school (I feel super old even thinking about it), my mom would always busy herself in the kitchen right after dinner to prepare our lunchboxes for the next day. One thing she loved doing was making it a surprise – so she never told us what she was making. We’d wait anxiously till recess the next day to find out what our magical lunchboxes had in store for us!

She always emphasized on including small portions of nutritious foods for lunch. For instance, a piece of goat cheese, sandwiches, boiled eggs or some blanched veggies with white sauce. French fries and other fried food were a once in a blue moon occurrence. Though I sometimes groaned when I saw my friend’s lunchboxes full of those yummy golden fries or crispy rolls, I now realize how important it was that I was fed with more nutritious stuff than those fried fattening calorie bombs.

So, speaking from experience, here are the wonders a healthy lunchbox you can yield for your child, both now and in the long run:

Less fats make for more active kids 

Your kid may love devouring cookies, fries and pizza at lunchtime, but you should know that the more fat you feed them, the more of a lazy bum you’re making them. You want your kids to be active and alert in these crucial years, and develop a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives. So think fruits, nuts and fish rather than patties, rolls and fries!

More energy equals better grades

OK, so I’m not one of those people who believes in pushing their kids to be stellar students. But it’s still important to keep in mind that your child’s brain is affected largely by what they are putting in their stomach. Greens like spinach, celery and capsicum increase blood flow to the brain and make it easier for kids to concentrate on their studies and other activities. You can always throw in some pasta or mix these greens up into a salad.

Avoid obesity!

Let’s face it, one of the biggest health hazards facing our kids these days is obesity. Kids love snacking on junk food available from the school canteens and just about everywhere else. These fat-rich foods don’t even contribute to 20% of their daily nutritional requirement. The result? Kids gain unnecessary weight, making them lethargic and paving the way for more health problems down the road. Here are some alternatives to junk food that your kids will love.

While a healthy lunch box can do miracles for your children, it’s important to supplement these with other healthy activities as well. Here are a few suggestions:

• Make sure your kids gets 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night
• Kids need outdoor activities as much as they need healthy food
• Make sure your kids are well hydrated. Get them in the habit of carrying their own water and rely less on sugary alternatives
• Sneak in vegetables and fruits into their meals wherever you can

Our recipe section has plenty of healthy dishes you can try out, be sure to check them out.

Got any healthy lunchbox ideas you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!