Mum’s must have guide to prepping healthy lunch boxes

Scenario: You’re trying to get the kids ready for school, their lunch box is half packed and it’s 8.30 am. You don’t even have the time to think for a second what you’re going to pack for lunch at work today so you just grab the kids and go! It comes to lunchtime at work and you didn’t pack anything so you opt for buying something ‘easy’, which usually means not the healthiest choice.

We’ve all been here! Especially mum Robyn who’s lost 27kg through the 28 Day Weight Lo`ss Challenge.“Lunch used to mean grabbing a quick lunch special in my break, normally Thai,” she says.

However since joining The Healthy Mummy and following the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges, Robyn’s lunch (and her children’s lunch boxes) have changed DRAMATICALLY.

Robyn says, “I now make all of our snacks and lunches, I pack everyone a lunch box the night before so it’s ready in the morning.”

Robyn’s 9 tips that work when packing a lunch for yourself and the kids

1. Use recipes

I make sure I am picking recipes and snacks from the Challenge that use lots of fruits and vegetables. Carrot sticks, cucumber, cherry tomatoes are so quick and really easy to pop into lunches. My daughter loves the cheesy broccoli bites in her lunch. Corn on the cob is also a winner!

2. Meal prep

Making sure I have healthy snacks on hand to put into our lunches. I do a big cook-up on a Sunday, and always double batches. It means I have healthy snacks for the week and also add to my freezer stash.

3. Don’t force yourself to eat things you don’t like

The greatest thing The Healthy Mummy has taught me is that healthy food can still taste amazing. I still eat all the foods I love, even doughnuts!

4. Pack each food group

I aim to have: fruit, veggies, protein, dairy and whole grains packed.

See this lunch box guide to make sure you’re adding all the food groups!

5. Use leftovers

If I have leftover veggies or meats from dinner I use it in a salad the next day for a quick lunch. I also cook extras at dinner so I can use them for lunches.

6. Involve the kids

My children have a say in what goes in their lunch box. My daughter helps me choose 2 or 3 snacks to make from either the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge recipe hub or the Healthy Kids Lunch Boxes Book. She loves flicking the pages and looking at all the recipes, she also loves to help me make the snacks.

7. Make it fun!

I try and mix up the types of foods in our lunch boxes and aim for lots of colour! Cookie cutters can be a great way to cut up sandwiches or veggies.

8. Add a smoothie

I make smoothies with berries and spinach and freeze them.

9. Pack water

It’s so important to stay hydrated.

I also add some berries into their water. I make sure I take my water bottle to work, plus my shaker to make up my Super Greens of an afternoon. Did you know The Healthy Mummy Energy Boosting Super Greens more iron than x12 cups of spinach? Perfect 3pm pick me up.

Well, there you have it. Awesome tips from Healthy Mummy Robyn to help you nail healthy lunch box treats and recipes.

Make your next lunch box creation a breeze with The Healthy Mummy’s 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

Spend your time on more precious things, and have your lunch boxes packed the night before by getting ideas from our 4,500 recipes (and save money whilst doing it)!

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