At SPARK Schools we believe in focusing on the holistic development of a child. This is why it is important for our scholars to pack healthy and nutritious lunches at school.
Foods such as biscuits, sweets(including chocolate spreads or muffins), and chips are not allowed and will be confiscated by school staff. Juice, soda, flavoured water, milkshakes and drinking yoghurt are also not permitted.
Our scholars are allowed to bring sandwiches on brown bread, vegetables, rice, pasta, eggs, fruit, crackers, yoghurt and cheese.
Coming up with creative ways to pack healthy lunches can be costly and time-consuming.
Registered dietician, Lizandri Swanich says the first thing you need know is how much your budget is and once you’ve decided on your budget, you need to stick to it.
“Calculate how much you can afford on food for a month and divide that to get an idea of what your weekly food budget should be. Let this guide you when you do your weekly and/or monthly shopping. Try not to go over budget,” she says.
And while it may be tempting to splurge on junk foods, rather choose homemade foods, as you can control what goes into it, and it will save you money. Also, plan your weekly meals.
We’ve come up with five lunch meal ideas, that won’t break the bank.
Pasta with meatballs
You can pack your leftover pasta with meatballs while dishing up dinner. Leftover food is a great way to save costs on your child’s lunch box, as the food is already available. This also saves you time in the morning.
Peanut butter sandwiches
Peanut butter sandwiches are the most inexpensive lunch idea, as you only require bread and peanut butter. Not only is less costly, but it is also the quickest sandwich to make. Add healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and milk.
Chicken sandwiches
Leftover chicken is great for making school lunches. There’s a lot you can do with leftover chicken. You can do toasted chicken mayo sandwiches. All you require is brown bread, mayonnaise and chicken.
Chicken bread rolls
All that is required is lettuce, tomatoes and brown bread rolls. Again always add healthy snacks such as fruits.
