The snack is an important meal for children because the time between breakfast and lunch is quite long. Children need their energy to grow and learn. Most children's typical packed lunches are either very unhealthy or very unimaginative, as it is a constant juggling act to get children to eat a healthy and balanced packed lunch and not throw it away. With creative packed lunches, you can make healthy eating and funand the pleasure of eating.
For children and young people, it is not only important that they eat something they like, they also don't want to be laughed at for having an "uncool" packed lunch. Therefore, the composition of the packed lunch should be discussed with the children. The children can help with the preparation and bring in their favourite foods. You can give them a selection of certain snacks that are both healthy and tasty. From this list, the children can choose what they want to take to school.
Snacks with a specific motto are a good variation. The theme can be changed daily or weekly. The packed food should be well packaged and contain food that the children normally like to eat. If the snack is interesting and tasty, the children will enjoy eating it.
You can also use fun shapes to make certain foods special, for example by cutting out pieces of fruit or vegetables with biscuit shapes.
To keep children's snacks healthy, they should not contain too much sugar, salt and fat, but should instead contain carbohydrates and vitamins. A healthy snack boosts brain activity and energises them for the day. Small fruits and vegetables, wholemeal bread, sugar-free drinks, low-fat proteins and high-fibre foods should make up the overall breakfast. Children who are not used to healthy food can be gradually introduced to it by adding a healthy item to their snack every day.
Suggestions for snacks
Sandwich with feta cheese, olives or tomatoes, lettuce and chicken
Fresh fruit, hard-boiled egg and sushi
Muffin with sultanas, carrots or apple pieces
Roll with pickled peppers, ham, cheese and tomato
Drinking yoghurt
Wholemeal biscuits and multivitamin juice
Apple turnover and low-fat cocoa
Salty crackers, cheese, apple and biscuit
