Vegan parenting: School lunch guide

LUTHO PASIYA

IT CAN be frustrating to plan and pack vegan school lunches, but we are here to help relieve some of that stress.

Below are a few tips on what to pack.

VEGGIE HOTDOGS

You can replace the meaty wors with carrots for a tasty vegetarian twist. Choose the largest, thickest carrots you can find; they shrink during cooking, and you can always trim the narrow end to fit the bun.

You can serve these carrot dogs in buns with toppings such as vegetarian chilli, cheddar, chopped onion, pickles or relish, tomato sauce and spicy mustard.

CHICKPEA NIBBLES

These nibbles are a great snack or appetiser. You can eat them right away for a tasty crunch or after they have cooled down when they are a bit chewy. You can substitute ingredients for anything you think your kids may like.

You could use rosemary and lemon zest, balsamic vinegar and sea salt, Cajun spices, or sweeter combinations such as cinnamon and a healthy sweetener.

BAKED CAULIFLOWER WINGS

Baked cauliflower wings make the perfect vegetarian substitute for crispy hot wings. This is the best way to include cauliflower in your child’s diet.

Although they are super low in calories, cauliflower wings are surprisingly addictive.

If there are cauliflower haters around you, give them a batch of these spicy “wings” and see how they change their minds.

VEGAN BIG MAC

This delicious vegan version of the McDonald’s burger can be made in 10 minutes at home using easy-to-find ingredients.

Anyone in your household will find this burger tasty, especially with the addition of my vegan big mac sauce.

If you have non-vegans in your home, it’s quicker to make this vegan burger at home than it is to go get a drive-though take-away (not to mention it’s healthier, has fewer calories, is cheaper and better for the environment).

MEAT-FREE MINCE TACOS WITH GUACAMOLE

Needing a booster shot of fun as an easy vegan lunchbox meal? Whether it’s for Taco Tuesday or TGI-Friday, this is a great recipe for lifting your children’s spirits and getting all hands on deck and involved in loading up their tacos with lipsmacking goodness.

Whip up a plant-based lunch with these vibrant vegan recipes for kids. Try mouthwatering meat free mains, snacks and bakes