1. Keeping it colorful! I don't know about anyone else, but I love eating from a dish with a variety of color - so fun. Kids love it too. Munch will sometimes arrange her snack into the colors of a rainbow.
3. Variety. I have now gotten into the habit of shopping for a variety of fruits and vegetables. I get a little bit of a large variety so that nothing goes to waste, and I can give her different things daily. This is also good if you are not quite sure what your little one likes, they will be able to pick and choose what they feel like eating that day. For those of you wondering what the dark purple vegetable is - they are purple colored heirloom carrots (which I don't suggest to be used on the shish kabobs, they apparently were too hard to get off).
4. Making it fun. For a few lunches I have made fruit and veggie shish kabobs. These were a huge hit! Munch came back from school after the first time having them telling me her friends were bugging her to try the different fruits and veggies on the kabobs! It is almost like they expected them to taste differently!5. Dipping. Dips, I have heard, are a favorite for some kids. Munch for some reason or another, has never really liked them, she likes her fruits and veggies plain - she also rarely uses salad dressing. But for some kids it is a must - so I thought I should include it. Some ideas... yogurt dips, ranch, hummus, and salad dressings.
What works for kids you know?
I often struggle with trying to get them to eat veggies in their lunch - thanks for the idea of the shish kabobs - I think that one will be popular around here!
ReplyDeleteI sneak in vegetables wherever I can! In chili I add spinach [and make it vegetarian]. If I make meatballs I add carrots and spinach, I add vegetables like cherry tomato, celery and red pepper to a rotini pasta salad [with or without tuna]. One of the kids favorites is vegetable samosas. At home we go to the Indian store down the street and pick up wonderful spicy and large samosas. Unfortunately these do not fit in the thermos and my 5 year old finds them a bit too spicy. There is a PC vegetable samosa [some packages come with pakora and onion balls] and this is a nice compromise. Quick to prepare in the toaster oven and they fare well in the thermos.
ReplyDeleteOn variety: I like to use fennel instead of celery, and I use snow peas with hummus/ baba ganoush for the kids to dip instead of pita or a chip or other grain.
Shish kabobs! Such a nifty idea. My boys will certainly go for this one. They are fruit and vegetable lovers already so that is a big plus. Making it fun is even better. Thanks for another great idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and so simple!
ReplyDeleteWish I thought about that in my 'kids-lunches' time.
Have funch-lunch,Munch
I really enjoy your blog. Although I don't make a lunch for a child I can use these ideas for when I'm babysitting or even for myself. :)
ReplyDeleteThe cut out shapes are a great idea and they do look very appealing. Your blog brings to light the need to be creative when it comes to nutrition, especially when feeding kids.
I look forward to reading more!
I love your creativity and enthusiasm in the foods! I think it is important for children to see colour and shapes as it appeal's to them and makes them want to eat them more.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is great! Suggestion for you, try to find letter cookie cutters so you can spell thing's like i love you or have a good day with her fruit or veggies. :)
I may try this for lunches. I've done this at home for a snack in the past with a dip made of Cool Whip and Strawberry yogurt. Yum.
ReplyDeleteThanx for the comments everyone! @ Linda - I have to learn some more of those sneaking in veggie recipes. @Jessica - love the letter idea! @ Tanya - those dip ideas sound good, I will try them out.
ReplyDeleteI love your posts Pauline. It's given me some ideas for the 4 kids lunches I have to make everyday. I hope you keep it up after the project is due. I enjoy reading them :)
ReplyDelete