10 Easy Lunchbox Hacks from Annabel Karmel

August 10, 2018

Gathering the troops and making packed lunches of a morning can feel like a mountainous task, especially considering 60% of us struggle for new ideas to liven-up our lunch breaks*.  Yet, almost a quarter of UK households (24%) still admit to leaving the packed-lunch prepping until the last minute according to our Sarnie Study with Warburtons.

To make life a little easier, leading children’s food expert Annabel Karmel shares her 10 timesaving hacks to get your kids to class with a healthy lunchbox that won’t be returned to sender.

1. Fact food

Use bagel thins to create mini pizzas the night before – a great one for letting the kids cram on their favourite healthy toppings.  Simply make a few extra, wrap them in foil and store then in the fridge overnight.  Hey presto!  You have a ready-made fast food favourite for lunch.

2. Tuck shop

Create an area in the fridge which is brimming with wholesome snacks at the ready – think chopped-up fruit, blueberry portions frozen in sandwich bags, pre-cut veggie batons.  Then let the kids pick out their own snacks.  That way, they’ll feel involved and it puts less pressure on you while you’re trying to keep this military operation on track.

3. Keep it dry

Put condiments like mayo, houmous or pesto – and wet toppings like tomatoes – in between cold meat cuts or cheese so that the sandwich doesn’t get soggy on the inside.

4. Pre-sliced apple

An apple a day could keep kids at bay if it’s not easy to eat (let’s face it, playtime is far more appealing that chomping at an oversized piece of fruit). Slice an apple, put it back together and wrap it up in cling film. That way, it stays nice and juicy but easy to eat for impatient kids. 

5. Make lists

Even if you’re prone to prepping on the day, use the weekend to make a list of different lunchbox ideas and buy the ingredients.  That way, you’ll have a plan to follow each morning to speed-up the lunch-making operation. 

6. 2-in 1 snacks

When you’re serving up dessert, pop a few tablespoons of yoghurt into silicon cupcake cases and sprinkle some fresh fruit on top.  Freeze overnight and then pack them up the next morning.  The kids will love this cool treat and it saves on the chopping and cutting in the morning.

  

 

9. Stick with one style

There’s nothing more annoying than trying to cobble together mismatched tops, boxes and lids when you need to pack in a flash. Buy identical food boxes and tubs, so when your child inevitably loses a lid, you’ll always have spares on hand.

10. Mix-it-up

Half and half bread is great for packing-in the goodness at lunchtimes, but try mixing it up with two tone sandwiches made with one slice of white bread, and one of brown. It’s a great way to add some extra fibre while sprucing up their sarnies. Get started with our Traffic Light Stacks or for more healthy kids lunchbox ideas visit the Warburtons hub. 

*Survey Monkey Research among 3,091 UK parents with children aged 0-15 (28.07.17 to 07.08.17).

 

Don't forget to head over to Annabel's Instagram for the chance to WIN  her Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner, plus a Pink Lining Mini Rucksack in Percy the Puffin and Lollipop.

 

For more Clever Hacks from Annabel Karmel, visit her website - https://www.annabelkarmel.com/

A special thank you to www.makedoandpush.co.uk for her incredible photography.

 

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