Lunchboxes and Tuesday treats!

My daughter is in 2nd grade. She really looks forward to Tuesdays. Why? It is because every week they get a 'Tuesday treat' which they get to experience and write about.

They started with the sense of taste, so for a few Tuesdays they will get a 'treat' to eat and then write about. Later, they will then move on to the sense of smell, and so on...

Last week they were given raspberries and blueberries to sample and write about. How lovely, I thought. Much better than the m&ms the week before ... but that's not my point.

My point is that, other than improving their writing and expression skills, this is a great way to get kids to taste foods that they wouldn't normally eat (assuming the treats are healthy).

If it's a class activity, then they're much more likely to do it. I've seen so many mothers slave over making healthy foods only to have their child push the plate away, refusing to even try it. So, if the whole class is eating it, they will too (hopefully).

I also think it's great to get kids' opinions about food. We're usually so adamant about our kids eating healthy food that we don't bother asking their opinion.

In my house, I try to get my kids to tell me what they think about certain foods. Whether or not they liked it; if they didn't like it, what specifically they didn't like - usually it's texture more than taste - and, believe it or not, I ask them how they think we can improve it.

For example, one of my kids didn't like the taste of avocados once and I asked how we can improve it. After several trials and errors, we ended up having it with soya sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Yummy!

When children are in touch with their senses, they will have a much better experience of life in general. And who knows, maybe they'll even grow up to become food critics or chefs!

Another reason why I love this idea so much is because this taste experience is probably one of the few times that children will taste foods that are not generically aimed at children.

Most parents, when they think of feeding their children, they think chicken nuggets, fries, flavoured yoghurts and chocolates. I say that because I see what they put in their lunch boxes.

Most kids today (of course, there are exceptions) are exposed to very little else other than the 'typical' kids' foods. How many kids do you know enjoy eating salads, or recognise the taste of more than five or six vegetables, or will ask for vegetable sticks for their lunch box?

The kids don't want to eat healthy. The parents are stuck. Nobody wins.

The kids end up taking junk food to school with a choice of chocolates, muffins, cheese sandwiches and flavoured yoghurts.

I wonder how these kids are expected to think and grow!

So let's start with the lunch boxes.

Kids don't really have a choice in what they eat. You could explain to them all day long about good nutrition, but unless parents at home are implementing it, then their knowledge is useless.

Your kids' eating habits will be shaped by what you put for them in their lunchboxes, so start putting in better stuff!

What's good to put in?

Lunch box options are plenty, so please don't be limited to the usual, quick solutions. Here are some pointers:

If you're introducing a new item, give your kids time to get used to it. Repeat it until they start eating from it.

Add variety. I'm sure many kids are tired of the same old cheese sandwich and yoghurt, even if you think they like it. Trust me, variety makes them better eaters as they grow older.

Show them their lunch box and let them help you fill it in the morning. It gives them more ownership and hence they'll be more likely to eat the contents.

Discuss any new items you put - preferably, even try it at home first - and explain why you want it to be part of their school snack.

Make a week's menu for your lunchboxes and stick it on the fridge. This will save you having to think in the morning and will prevent you from making a bad choice because you're tired.

Adjust the portions according to the child's age.

I know that it's hard for mothers to think of options and varieties for their kids' lunchboxes. So I will save you having to think and invent. I will just give you what I've come up with over the past few years. You can then adjust it according to your child's likes and dislikes.

If you want your kids to snack on healthy food as teenagers and adults, then YOU MUST START NOW! All you need to do is spend a few minutes thinking of options that your child might like or might be willing to try over time.

If you child eats from the school canteen, then make sure your school canteen offers healthy options. If they don't, do something about it. Speak to the PTA, talk to the food suppliers, anything!

If you're a parent and you want to know how you can slowly implement a healthier diet and lifestyle for your family, then you will love my study-at-home course. I did it specifically for parents and teachers. It is a combination of lecture DVDs, a study manual, and a bonus copy of my latest book 'I Want Healthy Kids'. It will teach you everything you need to know from A-Z when it comes to your kids' health. Go to www.KidsNutritionSecrets.com for more information.

l My most recent book I Want Healthy Kids is now out in Arabic! For all my Arabic readers, you can get your copy from my very limited stock this weekend only at iSpace Hamala. See my blog for details: www.AliaAlmoayedBlog.com

PACK-UP INGREDIENTS FOR A HEALTHIER SCHOOL WEEK

Sunday: Rye bread jam sandwich, raisins, almonds, carrot sticks, a few slices of apple, natural juice/water.

Monday: Boiled egg, black olives, sunflower seeds, grapes, natural juice/water.

Tuesday: Hummus with rice cakes, organic dry breakfast cereal, carrot sticks, pomegranate, natural juice/water.

Wednesday: Homemade zaatar bread, small corn cob, cucumber sticks, raisins, slices of plum, natural juice/water.

Thursday: Chickpeas or black eyed peas, a few fresh dates, cucumber or carrot sticks, pear slices, natural juice/water.

What I do:

Vary the fruits according to what's in season and what's in my fridge;

Have a 'surprise' item every once in a while, where I change one or two items. I even sometimes leave them little notes in their lunchboxes so they can smile when they open their lunchbox (usually the little note has a star or a heart or their name written in colours);

Get their input on what's working and what's not;

Let them help pack the lunchbox and sometimes they can choose a healthy lunchbox item when they're with me in the supermarket

Once in a while, I will pack a dessert if we have some in the house (it's usually a home-made natural dessert such as date balls or almond brownies).

There are no dairy products in their lunchbox. They instead get calcium-packed almonds, chickpeas and other goodies. Why not dairy? Go to my blog for more on that.