If you are a nanny or parent you should consider colouring your lunchbox and childcare Nutrition.  It’s hardly rocket science, but not surprisingly some parents, and possibly a few nannies, who shall remain nameless ;-), may need a little inspiration when it comes to exploring the possibilities as to what is healthy for their precious little ones to eat for lunch; that’s  5 times a week, every week.  Can we hear someone saying ‘yes but my little Amani, she  is a picky eater’, or ‘my darling Dylan goes to a nut free school’, or even, ‘Felix is fine, he is just a very slow eater’?

The good news is that you don’t need a masters degree to raise healthy kids. We know you are not Celebrity chefs, and we are not nutritional guru’s, however we have put together some simple ideas that we think will take the stress out of re thinking your lunchbox menus.  Following some basic guidelines you can help yourself and encourage your kids to eat better, maintain a healthy weight, and help to enhance their concentration at school.

A few quick rules:

1. Parents are the masters of all supply lines – One trick is to let them choose something that has a colour when you are stocking up for the weeks lunches.
2. The younger they are the better – Trying to teach good eating habits will be easier the sooner you start offering healthy choices.  Try to set the best example possible with mainly nutritious snacks.
3. Don’t believe the hype! – The majority of the mass advertised drinks are not good for adults, don’t fall for the advertising / marketing.  Water, Milk and Juice (100%) are the best drinks for kids and they don’t need that much, 150ml to 250ml should be more than enough depending on their age. Oh and if it says ‘drink’ or ‘nectar’ then it has extra sugar added 🙁
4. Unhealthy food is not love – Does an unhealthy lunchbox say ‘I love you’?  Although the occasional sweet or biscuit is fine in a lunch box, the majority of it should be nutritious, healthy and colourful.  In the event that everything is white then alarm bells should start ringing.
5. Its all in a plastic packet! – In general we recommend limiting the number of sealed plastic packets / bags in your children’s lunch box, we like to aim towards putting more homemade and some fresh items too, things like fruit and vegetables.

That’s it!! Now lets put together some exciting, satisfying lunch boxes for the week.

Colouring Your Lunchbox – Niche Nannies Lunchbox Menus:

Monday: Can you name all of the ingredients of this colourful children’s lunchbox?

This lunch was submitted by a parent who said that now, her children eat almost anything and love that the lunch box always has a surprise inside. These are only suggestions, colouring your lunchbox – Childcare nutrition is based on what our nannies and parents have told us their children or the children in their charge like to eat.

We now know that food is one of the most valuable tools for enabling and influencing a child’s future health, well being and lifestyle choices.  It relates to every child in your school as everybody has to eat and drink. It is the basis of so many other topics about health, concentration as well as learning opportunities and the best part is, it can engage absolutely everybody, both young and old.

The key to success is to find some variety in the menus you choose, different colours, shapes and textures that will encourage the young to eat more fruits and vegetables as well. Do you have a suggestion for a healthy lunchbox?

Part two will be coming soon. Have a great lunchtime!

Get social and follow Niche Nannies on INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN