Being the mother of an 18 year old is a great thing. Why you ask? It’s because I never-ever-ever have to make a school lunch again. Don’t care what she eats for lunch. She can legally drink, she can vote, she can drive a car, she can take care of her own lunch. Oh and she doesn’t go to school anymore.
So what comprises a perfect school lunch? According to dietitians school lunch should comprise fresh fruit, a snack food under 400kj, a dairy product and a grain sandwich or wrap with lean protein.
Sounds simple doesn’t it? So how come an apple. a muesli bar, a tub of yogurt and a ham sandwich has evolved into fruit skewers with honey cinnamon dipping sauce, frozen banana smoothie, banana and raspberry bread and chicken with chilli-lime mayo and watercress wrap. All must be home-made of course and contained in a reusable plastic tubs to reduce their environmental impact.
So here’s a question. Is this about mother guilt, mother competition or is this about the kids? In my experience kids think lunch is an afterthought to lunchtime. Lunchtime is all about playing and galloping around the school oval in 40 degree heat. So is all this effort worth it? Do you really need to buy into the perfect lunch provider pressure?
I”ll admit that I was sucked into the whole gourmet lunch thing when my daughter started school. I made her carrot, sultana and cream cheese sandwiches, roast chicken wraps and home made muffins. Heck I even cut her sandwiches into stars with cookie cutters. I chopped up sticks of vegetables and served them with dips and bought baby cheeses in red waxed casings for her. By Year 3 she wanted an apple, a tub of yogurt, a ham sandwich and a muesli bar AND THAT’S ALL. Suited me. So that’s what she got (for the next nine years–be careful what you wish for).
So my advice–don’t succumb to the pressure, your kids don’t really care. Take on board the four basics that dietitians suggest, ask your kids what they want and make sure most of the other 16 meals a week that they eat tick the boxes.
By the way what IS the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Loaded Web Australia
Dietitians have credentials, nutritionists don’t.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention the other must have item for lunchboxes. The I Love You note. Part of my morning is taken up with writing a note each for my son and daughter. It makes my day and the kids probably just throw them in the bin, but I’m going to keep on doing it until they tell me to stop.