Lunchbox tips

PACKING A PUNCH FOR LUNCH A day out can become expensive, even if you are just going to the local park. And if you’re walking it’s not long before tummies rumble and the kids start to grumble

Constant demands for snacks and drinks can end up costing us the earth. Taking a packed lunch along works out cheaper and healthier. It might feel like the boring option but we’ve got some tried and tested tips which will liven it up, keeping the kids happy and the cos t down.

OUR 5 TIPS FOR A TOP PACKED LUNCH:

1Make their favourite food

Make your child’s favourite sandwich, so they are more likely to eat it! Include healthy, easy-to-carry snacks like bananas, apples, or home-wrapped mini packs of raisins (from a cheaper, big bag). Hunger-busting flapjacks are also a winner, (see our super easy recipe below). Invest in a solid, re-usable lunch box. If you have a freezer, a freezer block will keep food chilled.

2Take re-usable bottles of water

or drinks. They’re better for the environment and keeps costs down as they’re so dear to buy out.

3If you have foods that are past their

best, use them to prepare some treats for when you are out. Over-ripe bananas can be used to make a banana loaf (see page 17). Other fruits past their prime can be used to make smoothies.

4Encourage the kids to help you prepare

the packed lunch. Research (and our own experience) shows that, if they feel they have helped to make it, they are much more likely to eat it!

5If you avoid spending on treats all day,

it’s not so bad if you cave in to demands for ice creams. (Don’t forget, though, it’s still cheaper to pop into a supermarket and buy a box of lollies or choc ices!)

RECIPE

EASY-PEASY FLAPJACKS All you need to make these yummy METHOD flapjacks are four ingredients. They’re also super quick and ready in half- 1 Heat your oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. an-hour. If you have any dried fruit lying around like raisins or apricots, 2 Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup into a saucepan and put on add those in for a fruity kick. Nuts a low heat until all the ingredients work really well too - try hazelnuts or peanuts (unsalted). have melted. 3 Pour in the oats and stir the mixture so that it is combined. (Makes 12 individual slices) INGREDIENTS • 250g porridge oats • 125g unsalted butter 4 Lightly grease a baking/roasting tin with a knob of butter and spoon in the mixture. Press into the corners with the back of a spoon so the • 125g light brown sugar • 2-3 tbsp golden syrup mixture is flat. 5 Then bake for around 30 minutes until golden brown.

6Leave to cool completely then cut into 12 slices.