We wanted to give you some healthy inspiration for your back to School or work packed lunches.
It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut with the same old ideas.
Additionally, the rising cost of living not only makes it a lot cheaper to take our lunch with us, it gives us a push to step away from pre-packed goods.
Step 1 : Pick a lunch box that is going to keep your food fresh, and inspire you
Bento boxes have been a firm favourite of ours for years. They prompt you to add in a variety of foods to meet your nutritional needs. Back to school lunches don’t need to be boring!
A hot flask is also a great additional for the colder months.
We love this one from Amazon, very stylish and modern!
Step 2: Refillable Water bottles
Something that often gets over-looked when planning our lunches.
Not only is this a great choice for the environment, you will save lots on constantly buying drinks. (Or just drinking tea and coffee all day!)
Every school and work place should offer drinking water facilities, where you can refill throughout the day.
This means you stay super hydrated too!
Step 3: Filling those Lunch boxes with healthy balanced meals
Now it’s time for the foodie inspiration!
The NHS share a list of foods that we should be including into our diet everyday; https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eating-a-balanced-diet/
We have taken this into account when planning our meal inspiration.
A vegetarian option;
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259817/veggie-hummus-sandwich/
In my bento box, I would add a few cubes of cheddar cheese, a piece of fruit, and a handful of nuts.
*Please be aware that most schools are nut free, so please omit this option for Schools.
A non- Veggie option;
Link: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7981798/cucumber-chicken-green-goddess-wrap/
Firstly my suggestion would be to meal prep the fillings for a few days (Not the whole wrap as it will go soggy).
So cook your chicken, Shred your carrot and make your sauce – Keep it in sealed containers in the fridge for super easy lunch assembly.
In my bento box, I would serve this with some greek yogurt and berries. I would also pack a piece of fruit to satisfy any snack times.
A hot option;
This lunch is a super simple ‘cheat’ recipe that you can easily make ahead for a few days. Keep in the fridge in a seal tight container. Keep cheese separately.
You could either heat this up at work if you have a microwave, or if not, use a hot flask. Simply microwave one portion in a microwavable jug, and pop in it your flask. Suitable for older children too!
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269888/hearty-tomato-soup-with-beans-greens/
I would serve this with a slice of Sourdough rye bread (My bread of choice) or a couple of crackers. I would pack a piece of fruit and perhaps something like a healthy homemade oat bar for a snack.
The healthier homemade oat bar;
Following on from the previous idea, homemade oat bars of various varieties are a staple in my home. I tend to batch them for the week for my family to enjoy. They are so easy to pop into a lunch box as a little something ‘sweet’. https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/no-bake-energy-bars/
Once you have made these a few times, it becomes very easy to swap things out that you may already have in your cupboard for different flavour combinations. Therefore, a great staple to your lunch routine!
The use it all up option;
I love this option for using up all the bits you have in the fridge. A bento box especially helps prompt you to add variety. Think of it as a little cheese board or graze board.
I find children in particular love a ‘picky’ lunch.
For example, I might add;
- Crackers
- Cheese Cubes
- Ham or cooked chicken
- Cucumber
- Carrot sticks
- Hummus
- tomatoes’
- Pickle
- Pretzels
- Fruit
- Yogurt
- Granola
- Nuts (If allowed)
- boiled egg
The possibilities are endless! A fabulous way to make your potential food waste a little more glamourous – Who doesn’t love a graze board!?
We hope this little blog has given you some lunch inspiration, perhaps a little motivation or some confidence to try something new.
To find out more about of lovely team of ladies; https://www.aloeveradental.co.uk/meet-the-team/
We are all huge advocates of bringing healthy lunches to work and swapping ideas and recipes.
