MAKE LUNCH BOXES FUN

& APPETISING WITH A VARIETY OF HEALTHY FOODS

Text by — Martin Chemhere

DECLUTTER IS GOING A STEP FURTHER, EMPOWERING SCHOOL CHILDREN ON HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THE FIRST EVER INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANISERS IN HARARE, DECLUTTER RIDES ON THIS UPLIFTING AND INFLUENTIAL ACCOLADE, TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT, PROVIDING A HEALTHY LUNCH BOX FOR YOUR CHILDREN – WHICH CAN BE FUN. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE CHILDREN CAN BE PRONE TO HEALTH PROBLEMS IF THEY’RE NOT EATING NUTRITIOUS FOODS. BEAR IN MIND THAT HEALTHY EATING, WHEN MADE PART OF THE CULTURE OF YOUR HOME, WILL HELP TO PREVENT ILLNESS RATHER THAN HAVING TO SEEK A CURE IN THE FUTURE.

When you prepare the lunch box have a checklist of foods that you can serve up for your child. Some of these foods may already be in the fridge or available at the nearest supermarket or fresh produce market.

A healthy lunch box should contain lentils or legumes. Try to combine protein from meat, fish and legumes with fresh vegetables and fruit.

It should be in every mom’s or guardian’s mind that good nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle are the foundation for a child’s future. The type of food children eat forms the basis of how well their body functions in both the short and long term. Unhealthy bodies, as a result of eating less nutritious or junk food leads to diseases like arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. The answer is to pack the best foods for your children’s lunches that are tasty and healthy –low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals – to set them up with energy for the day.

An awesome lunch box, as recommended by deClutter, Zimbabwe’s best seller of lunch up-market boxes, should be well insulated to keep food at the best temperature – some foods are better hot, some lukewarm or cold. Stainless steel lunch boxes are ideal as they last longer and are more hygienic. They usually have several compartments including ones for salads, fruit, sandwiches and snacks.

Here are the five recommendations for packing a healthy lunch box that promotes a healthy life.

• Vegetables should be the main component

• Encourage healthy snacking by including fruit and nuts

• Get a lunch box (or food container) that helps to maintain the coolness or warmth and freshness of every meal

• Sneak in a nutritious dessert like healthy chocolate chip cookies, superfood chocolate bars, yoghurt parfaits or fruitbased desserts deClutter offers amazing solutions for organising your lifestyle - and your spaces – by using these amazing compartmentalised lunch boxes.

• Pack in more protein in the form of sandwich fillings and stews based on chicken, fish or meat.

While the best lunch boxes might seem pricey, deClutter advises to go for similar versions in their stock when choosing this line of products since they save money by promoting your children’s health. deClutter also believes that these lunch boxes also make preparing lunches fun and more adventurous. Parents can use their imaginations to create delicious and nutritious food every day. Keep a chart to record what food you’ve prepared each day to avoid boring repetitions and keep it interesting for your child – it also avoids wastage and saves money if the meals are well planned. Where possible include homemade foods rather than precooked, supermarket options and always include water and juices to keep your child well hydrated.