8 Healthy LunchBox Snacks for Hungry Children

When it comes to packed lunches, it’s important to choose foods, which will fill up and fuel your child and ensure they have the energy and concentration levels to get the most out of their afternoons at school. Kids often ask for treats, which are not always the healthiest options and it can be a battle trying to get them to eat healthy foods, but there are plenty of tasty alternatives to junk food, which are suitable for lunchboxes and snacks when they get back from school claiming that they’re absolutely starving! Here are 8 ideas for healthy lunchbox snacks:

1. Sandwiches: sandwiches are a great lunchbox component; they are made from bread, which is a complex carbohydrate, which releases energy slowly and you can pack them full of healthy fillings, such as lean meat, tuna and salad. Try to avoid very sugary fillings, such as jam and go for wholemeal bread. Wholemeal bread contains more fibre and less sugar than white bread. If your child doesn’t like traditional sandwiches, why not try a pitta bread or a wholegrain wrap instead?
2. Satsumas or tangerines: many children love tangerines and satsumas and they are a great addition to a lunchbox, as they are easy and quick to eat and they contain vitamin C, which helps to boost your child’s immune system. Other good options to include in lunchboxes include bananas, nectarines, plums and apples.
3. Yoghurt: yoghurts are an excellent choice for dessert, as they contain lots of calcium, which is recommended by Apollonia dentists as it is important for the development of strong teeth and bones. Try to go for low sugar versions.
4. Carrot sticks: carrots contain beta-carotene, which is beneficial for the eyes, as well as vitamins A and C. They are also low in fat and sugar and high in fibre and chewing them is good for the gums, as it stimulates blood flow.
5. Cheese: including a small triangle or a few cubes of cheese will provide your child with protein, as well as calcium. Cheese is also alkaline, so it helps to neutralise acids in the mouth, which reduces the risk of tooth decay.
6. Pasta salad: many kids love pasta for dinner, so why not try pasta salad in their lunchbox? Pasta is a great source of carbohydrate and you can choose a really healthy sauce with tomatoes and other vegetables, such as carrots, mushrooms, onions and celery.
7. Wholegrain crackers: wholegrain crackers are a good alternative to crisps; they release energy slowly and contain more fibre; they are also a really good accompaniment for cheese.
8. Slice of malt loaf: malt loaf is a sweet treat, which is preferable to bags of sweets and chocolate bars because it contains less sugar, fewer calories and more fibre.

In addition to a host of healthy edible treats, it’s also advisable to send children to school with a bottle of water; water is the best drink to give children because it prevents from becoming dehydrated and it is free from fat, sugar and calories. If you want to add a bit more variety to your child’s lunchbox, you could also try sugar-free squash or milk, which is very good for their teeth, nails and bones. Try to avoid fizzy pop, fruit juice and shop-bought smoothies, as they tend to be very acidic and they contain a lot of sugar, which increases the risk of tooth decay, as well as obesity.

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About the Author: Carol James is an EssayLab psychology department writer and senior editor. She has MA degree in social sciences and is an excellent specialist in this field. Carol worked with numerous materials on the subject and is eager to share her knowledge with our readers.