5 Lunchbox Ideas for Kids

Children are very fussy when it comes to food. No matter how much you fill the table with delicious and healthy treats, they are never excited and get grumpy when they see food. Many children are picky eaters, meaning they are very picky about what they eat. Have you ever wondered why some kids like it more than others? They may not like how these foods taste in their mouths, or they may want to take responsibility and make their own decisions. If you have a fussy eater at home, here are some expert-recommended lunchbox ideas to help them eat.

Why do children fussy eaters?

According to a study in European PMC Funders GroupHere are the reasons why a child might be a fussy eater:

1. Picky eaters at 38 months (3 years and 3 months) were found to have older maternal age, higher maternal social class, lower pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal smoking, and infants with lower birth weight and males.
2. Infants who were breastfed for a short period and introduced complementary feeding to the infant at a later stage ate more at a later age.
3. Children’s emotionality and negativity at a young age also influenced them to be picky eaters.
4. Maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy or in the first years of a child’s life are also associated with a child being a picky eater.

Also Read: 7 Tips to Manage a Fussy Eater and Keep Your Child Eating Healthy

Lunchbox ideas for dealing with fussy eaters

If your child skips lunch no matter how hard you try, you should try these expert-recommended tips for preparing lunchbox ideas that will help you deal with fussy eaters:

Also read

1. Choose a kid-friendly lunch box

Child-friendly lunch boxes come with fun and attractive accessories. Let your kids choose their lunchbox, whether it’s their favorite cartoon character or their favorite color. The child can choose the colors and stickers for his/her box which will make the box look colorful. They can also color the lunch box.

Also Read: 6 tips to keep your kids healthy this summer

2. Ask your child to pack a lunch

Involving your children in preparing lunch will make them feel like they are having their lunch, which will make them want to eat it. You can ask your child about what fruits he/she likes and what kind of condiment (yogurt or ketchup) they like. You can help them choose their favorite snack. Neonatologist and paediatrician, Dr Jagdish Kathwate says that this makes the children enthusiastic and motivated to eat what is given in the lunch box.

3. Avoid introducing new foods to school going children

This is not the right time to try new food for tiffin. It is better to give children whatever they like during school. Pack food in a fancy way. Use toothpicks for fruit so kids can enjoy them at break time, or cut the roti into a flower or sun shape and try to keep the portion small. It makes lunchtime interesting. Do not force children to eat the same food every day. Sandwiches, crackers, healthy laddus, dosas, idlis, pancakes, pita slices and hummus, pasta salad and thinly cut carrot or celery sticks or steamed, chilled broccoli are other options parents should consider for tiffin ideas, experts suggest.

4. Keep surprising

Add a healthy treat to their lunch box every day, but avoid discussing it with your child. Make him or her excited to know what they have been given today. Doing this makes them happy and they eat with pleasure. You can even leave a small note at lunch to make them happy.

Health Shots recommends: 5 Healthy Lunchbox Recipes by MasterChef India Contestant Harish Closepet aka Harry

5. Don’t pack too many things at once

While it’s good to mix things up when you pack your child’s lunch, it’s important not to give too many things at once. Dr. Kathwate says that your child will choose the things they like and discard the things they don’t want. It’s best to combine fruit and 1 main item, such as a sandwich or fruit.

Make your little one a better eater rather than a fussy eater with these tips for preparing lunchbox ideas! Happy parenting!