Keep kids full during the school day

Knowing how much to pack for lunch for your kids can be tricky. Some kids seem to always be hungry, while some come home with their lunches half eaten. School kids are busy and active, so snacking is important to keep their energy levels high. We've put together some tips for packing the right kind of snacks to keep kids full during the school day. 

FAST AND FILLING BREAKFAST

School mornings can be pretty full on, so keeping it quick and easy is a must! Wholegrain cereal with some berries on top, or peanut butter & banana on toast are both quick options that will give kids a great start to the day. 

Smoothies are another great option and you can pack heaps of healthy fats and protein into them to help keep your child feeling fuller for longer. Fill them up with nut butter, seeds, oats and milk and serve in one of our Smoothie Cups for a mess-free brekkie on the go!

 SWITCH TO WHOLEGRAINS

Choosing wholegrain versions of foods where you can is a great hack for keeping your little ones full throughout the day. 

Use wholemeal wraps to make wraps, burritos or even quesadillas with beans. You can use our Silicone Wrap Bands to keep everything neatly held together. 

For something sweet try a wholemeal sandwich with peanut butter and banana or cream cheese and dates – on malt loaf or raisin bread is good, too.

TAKE LEFTOVERS FOR LUNCH

Sometimes a warm lunch feels like a heartier meal than having a sandwich. Our insulated food jars will keep any dinner time leftovers toasty! You can even pre-warm your food jar by filling with boiling water and allowing it to sit for 10ish minutes, before adding your food.

Here’s some ideas we love for a hot lunch:

• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Chicken Nuggets
• Mini Frankfurts
• Fried Rice
• Baked Beans
• Soup
• Porridge

PREP TOGETHER

Your kids are more likely to eat snacks they helped make. Letting them join you in picking out, planning, and preparing the food they will eat can also encourage more adventurous eating. Try using some of our Sandwich Cutters and Bento Accessories to make fun lunches your kids actually want to eat! 

STAY HYDRATED

A water bottle for the day is a must-have! Drinking water can help reduce hunger so your kids will be less likely to demand after school snacks. Plus, staying hydrated helps with concentration! 

GROWING APPETITES

Although all these tips will help keep kids fuller for longer, sometimes they just need extra food due to their growing appetites and active schedules! 

For older kids especially, big appetites means packing extra snacks that are easy to eat on the go between classes. Our Pack & Snack bags are an environmentally friendly alternative to buying individual packets of chips, popcorn, etc. Plus, it’s cheaper to buy these snacks in bulk and pack them yourself! 

Do you have a favourite recipe for keeping your kids full during the school day? Let us know!