{"id":118080,"date":"2025-01-17T03:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T03:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/?p=118080"},"modified":"2025-01-17T07:10:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T07:10:49","slug":"back-to-school-lunchbox-hacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/back-to-school-lunchbox-hacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-School Lunchbox Hacks: Easy & Waste-free Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

School is officially in session, which means lunchbox duty for parents. If you\u2019ve got a fussy eater or \u2018a lot on your plate\u2019, you may need to think outside of the box. Plan the ultimate snack packs with these game-changing lunchbox hacks that kids will love.<\/p>\n

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1. Prep Like a Pro<\/h4>\n

Take some time on Sundays to prepare meals for the week ahead. Wash and cut fruits and veggies, portion out snacks, and cook items like pasta that can be repurposed for multiple meals. Use stackable containers to keep everything organised in the fridge. Bonus tip: freeze sandwiches \u2013 they\u2019ll defrost perfectly by lunchtime.<\/p>\n

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2. Make It Bite-Sized<\/h4>\n

Kids are more likely to eat foods that are easy to handle. Cut sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters, slice fruits and veggies into sticks or cubes, and opt for mini muffins instead of regular-sized ones. Bite-sized portions are less intimidating and reduce the chance of food coming home uneaten \u2013 or that parents end up clearing.<\/p>\n

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3. Sneak in the Nutrition<\/h4>\n

Blend vegetables into sauces, bake them into muffins or hide them in quesadillas. Smoothies are also a great way to pack in fruits and veggies \u2013 freeze them in small containers, and they\u2019ll double as an ice pack in the lunchbox.<\/p>\n

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Make Peanut Butter & Berry Chia Smoothies<\/a> and bake Smoky Pork Muffins<\/a>. Prep them ahead and loading into backpacks on busy school mornings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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4. Turn Leftovers Into \u2018Bestovers\u2019<\/h4>\n

Turn tonight’s dinner into tomorrow\u2019s lunch. Roast chicken can become wraps, pasta can be transformed into a cold salad and extra veggies can top a mini pizza. This saves time, money and are simple yet delicious lunch ideas.<\/p>\n

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5. Mix and Match Snacks<\/h4>\n

Give kids some control by letting them mix and match their lunch items. Use a bento box or divided container and include a variety of their favourite lunch items for the week:<\/p>\n