By Alexis Grace
No parent wants their child to feel hungry at school but that is exactly what can happen when kids are sent to school without the proper snacks. Having a snack that kids can eat during class or on the way to school as well as during lunch is important, as this will help to stave off hunger and make it much easier for a child to focus. Hungry children are not going to be able to learn as easily as children who are satisfied, which is why parents must make sure to give their children the right snacks.
Make Sure They’re Easy to Open
One thing that parents need to consider when looking for kids lunchbox snacks is how easily the child can open them on their own. Kids have a finite amount of time when eating lunch, and often the teachers are not able to help all of the kids open their food. For this reason, when parents choose snacks that a child can open independently, they are actually setting them up for a pleasant lunchtime experience.
Ensure They Can Quickly Be Eaten
Not only will kids not have a lot of time to open snacks, but they generally don’t have a lot of time to eat during lunch. This is why it’s important for snacks to be able to be taken on the go or quickly eaten at lunch. Portable snacks, such as cheese sticks or bites or even yoghurts are a great option for kids to eat quickly or eat when they are walking between classes.
Look for Food That’s Fun
This is especially important for younger kids, as they are going to be much more interested in eating food that is fun to look at. Cute cheese shapes not only are delicious and healthy, but are a lot of fun. Strings of cheese that can be pulled off before eaten will engage children and make them much more likely to want to sit and eat their entire meal without getting up to play. By choosing fun foods, parents can make eating as inviting as possible.
Consider the Nutritional Value
All growing kids need foods that are healthy so that their muscles and bones can be strong and so that they can focus during the day. While it’s easy for parents to grab snacks that are high in calories and loaded with artificial ingredients, there are some cheese or yoghurt snacks that are just as easy to buy, but significantly healthy. Cheese is loaded with Vitamin D and calcium – both important for kids – but doesn’t have artificial colours and isn’t high in calories.
It’s up to parents to make sure that they choose the right foods for their children to take to school. Having healthy snacks and meal options in the lunchbox can give your child the ability to feel satisfied by their lunch and more likely to focus in lessons. By considering the portability, nutritional value, and how easily the food can be eaten and consumed, parents can choose the best food options for their child.
