The Picky Eater: Lunchboxes

Got a picky eater at home? When it comes to creating balanced lunchboxes for picky eaters, the  struggle is real. While some children thrive on gorgeously curated bento boxes, if you have a picky child, you will know the pain of emptying out lunchboxes that have barely been touched. Squashed bananas lurking at the bottom of schoolbags? That too.

 

#lunch all ready for a big day at #school ✔️ #ggshare #tltshare #kidslunches #kidslunchbox #lunchbox #bentolunchbox

A photo posted by Meagen (@lunchesandfoodfun) on Aug 21, 2016 at 2:05pm PDT

With this in mind, we asked some of our favourite Mammy bloggers to give us their tips and tricks to dealing with lunchboxes, and how they navigate the sometimes choppy world of picky eaters.

“Just keep it simple, give them something that you know they like to eat. Plain ham every day that’s eaten is better than adventurous options returning uneaten in the lunchbox.”
Sinead Fox, Bumblesofrice.com

“I always get my daughter to help me make her lunch. Chances are if she helped prepare it she’ll eat it. Mine love a warm lunch so I swear by the Mummy Cooks flask for soups and pasta’s and it will keep her warm with winter coming in.”
Kellie Kearney, www.mylittlebabog.com

 

Monday and I was running late. This quick school lunch box is very simple. Sandwhich, melody tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers – always de seed the cucumbers so they don’t go bitter, strawberries & blueberries, cheese stick, mandarin and a banana. At times to dress it up a little use a cup cake wrapper. Enjoy. #yumbox #schoollunchbox #schoollunchbox #healthylunch #kidsnutrition #healthykids #bentobox

A photo posted by SCHOOL LUNCH BOX (@schoollunchbox) on Aug 21, 2016 at 2:19pm PDT

“Get your child to help you write a list of foods they do like and come up with lunch ideas together, even better if they help you make the lunch as they are more inclined to eat it knowing they made it and know what’s in it.”
Yaz, glittermamawishes.com

“Get their pre-approval on everything, stick with what is familiar. Packaging, lunch box, drink, fruit, all would be agreed on in our house weeks before back to school time. My son goes in every day with the exact same lunch, banana and cheese sandwich on brown, but I know he will eat it every day.”
Jane Clare, Www.thepostmodernmammy.wordpress.com

“My boy is only starting preschool and so has never experienced a ‘school lunch’ before so I’m sticking to a substantial snack, like the one I make when we’re out and about or on a picnic. Things he can eat with one hand and still people watch, which he likes to do. Slices of cheese, cucumber sticks, berries. Picky bits that’ll keep him going and give him some energy but not a big elaborate adventurous lunch. Time enough to work on the adventurous eating at home!”
Karen Mulreid, Www.beatingmyselfintoadress.wordpress.com

For a slew of great lunch box fillers, check out our lunch box recipe collection, here.