KIDDIES LUNCH BOX - HOW HEALTHY? (TUMMYZONE 4 KID & TEEN)

Dear parents, it is essential to note that, your kid's lunchbox should be filled with healthy foods and fruits. Just as your child will be going back to school, please, try aS much as possible to make his lunch box attractive and healthy. The following tips will guide you. i. Always include a sandwich. Instead of sliced bread, you can give your child wholegrain bread which will provide fiber and help him fill full. If your children aren't used to eating wholegrain bread, use soft grain bread initially,and gradually change over to the wholegrain bread. Try to include a piece of fresh fruit, Carton of fruit juice, dried fruit smoothie as much as possible to help your child get their "5 a day". ii. Vegetables can be sneaked into the lunchbox in many forms: Add a bag of carrot sticks or baby tomatoes; grate carrot and use in sandwich fillings or add sweetcorn to tuna. Include your kid in the grocery shopping and let them choose foods that are part of a healthy diet. If possible, stay out of the way of temptation; skip the aisles that house sweet, biscuit and fizzy drinks. At home, include the kids in their lunch preparation. Take into account their tastes and let them select one new fruit and vegetable to try each week. iii. Keep it simple: Avoid messy mushy food which may turn your child off his food. If a sandwich filler makes the bread mushy before it is eaten, wrap the filler up in tinfoil so it can be added when needed. iv. Keep it small: Ensure food is manageable for little hands. Cut apples and carrots into slices. Cut sandwiches into four pieces. Small snacks such as raisins or mandarins are easy to manage as they are. Children become easily dehydrated so don't forget drinks. Add bottled water, milk, sugar-free squash or 100 percent fruit juices to school lunchbox. However, fruit juices should be limited to meal times due to their high sugar content. Try diluting fruit juice to 2-parts water and one-part juice to reduce the sugar content.If you freeze cartons of fruit juice the night before, not only will they act as lunchbox cooler but the juice will be nicely chilled at lunchtime.