When you are looking after a family and working as well, keeping on top of things can be difficult. Although you might not see your own lunch as a priority, it is important to eat well and look after yourself.
Here are a few ideas of healthy snacks you can pack in your lunchbox in addition to sandwiches or a salad to make sure you are always full of energy:
- Porridge oats & milk for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack
- Vegetable sticks (carrots, cucumber, celery)
- Breadsticks or grissini
- Tzatziki or hummus
- Healthy crisps
- Homemade cereal bars
- Dark chocolate
- Biscuits
- Several portions of fruit to eat throughout the day: bananas, apples, satsumas, grapes, cherries, strawberries, pineapple, apricots
- Dried fruit & nuts to nibble when your energy levels are getting low
- Healthy muffins
- Yoghurts or fruit purées
- Plenty of water
In France, you can buy fruit purée pouches (they are not just for babies!), and unsweetened compote de pommes (apple purée) is my absolute favourite. It is inexpensive, does not need to be refrigerated and always makes the perfect snack. I always buy a couple of big boxes when I visit my family, but I run out pretty quickly as I love them so much.
My favourite yoghurts, Petits Filous, have just launched pouches in three flavours: strawberry, raspberry and apricot. As soon as I found out about them, I asked Hubby to get some for the kids (me!).
Here is a conversation Crevette and I had last week:
Crevette: “I love those pouches!”
Me: “How do you know? They’re new. You’ve never tried them.”
Crevette, sounding annoyed: “Well, I know what Petits Filous taste like and I like yoghurt in pouches, so I love them!”
Me: “Which one do you think you’ll like best?”
Crevette: “Which one is there?”
Me: “Apricot, strawberry and raspberry!”
Crevette: “I preeeeefer tadada… Strawberry!”
Me: “Shall we try, then, instead of typing our conversation!”
Crevette, reading what I have just typed, laughs and suggests trying the pouches straight away!
Crevette and I went in the garden and got a bit creative as we were trying the pouches, making a quick stop motion. We hope you like it!
We both loved the yoghurt pouches. They reminded me of Yop, a yoghurt drink I used to have all the time when I was growing up.
These little pouches are really a convenient, tasty option for busy families. They also provide calcium and vitamin D which help build strong bones.
Check out my little Wriggly multitasking. She can ride her rocking horse and eat her Petits Filous at the same time!
I was sent supermarket vouchers to spend on Petits Filous pouches but all opinions and photos are my own.
c’est pas du chocolat à la fleur de sel que j’aperçois…hummmmmmmm
Mais si… mon préféré!
My little boy loves Petits Filous but I’ve not tried the pouches yet. Sounds like a great idea for picnics though and not having to worry about packing spoons (I always forget!) x #brilliantblogposts
Tell me about it!
great suggestions! love dark chocolate and fruits! #brilliantblogposts
So do I!
Hello Mel,
Although I don’t comment much I am now a regular reader of your blog, I love what you do and the look of your site and this lunchbox is healthy and colourful 😉
..and besides I love France!
Thanks lovely! It means a lot that you took the time to comment. I do love France, too! Italy comes pretty close to the top when it comes to food and great flavours I have to say! x
Great post, I get so stuck for ideas for my daughters pack lunch. x
My little man will be in Year 3 in September so no more free school malls for him and he wants packed lunches. I’ll definitely get some Petits Filous pouches for him.
I do love a petit filous! And great that they now come in pouches so there’s far less mess when out and about.
They also are great for jazzing up a smoothie!
Great post.
#brilliantblogposts
Thanks Katy. I had my last one at work on Friday and I have to buy some more!
My husband and I are having our first baby in August– and we have had a lot of conversations about how to make sure our child is a good, healthy eater. I see too many parents who just give up and feed their kids “kid food” (aka, crap), because it’s easier. I know I will never be a parent who takes the easy route when it comes to my child’s health… but I still want to do things that instill good eating habits from the beginning. So much so, that I have been very strict with my own diet, tons of veggies, since week 20 of pregnancy because I want healthy foods to be the flavors he remembers from the womb 🙂
Schools unfortunately most fail us with providing healthy options at school and helping kids develop healthy eating habits– I have worked at schools in the States, and several international schools (now in Malaysia), and even working at a school with a very affluent population, the food we serve the kids is sadly, horrifyingly unhealthy. It’s something I’ve wanted to step up and work on, but between a promotion I got at work, having a new baby, etc., it’s unfortunately not in the cards for me this year….
You’re right: instilling good habits from the start reduces the risk of our children developing a taste for food that is not great for them. I like the idea of letting my children try a bit of everything and not strictly forbid anything. Everything is OK in moderation, as long as I give them to a balanced, nutritious diet. Their favourite food in the world is carrot soup, bless them!
We love Petit Filous too – didn’t realise that you could now get them in pouches though! Great idea and I love Crevette’s logic as to why he loves them before he’d even tasted them 🙂
Those pouches are a firm favourite in our house! You should try them. xx
I remember yop when I was travelling!!!! Yummy drinks.
I want Yop now! Can’t wait to go to France in 3 weeks or so!
Thanks for the ideas. I’m always looking for new options. I don’t place the proper importance on my lunch. I’m going to make some changes and this certainly helped.
I love this and love the conversation with Crevette. It’s always good to know what you like!
How cool is your petit filous stop frame film! Love this post, my eldest has school lunches (the cook is amazing and they make him all gluten-free food) but this is inspiring for picnics, thanks. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogpots x
My little man can’t wait for packed lunches. We bought an insulated bag for him yesterday and that made his day, bless him!
Haha! I LOVE your little stop motion – that was the yoghurt pouches AND me smiling 🙂
I’ll have to try and find these. My 1 year old loves petit filous but always makes such a mess with the spoon!
Exactly the same here. The pouches are ideal & completely mess-free!
We love petit filous (how cute are your pics), I wish I could still feed my boys from pouches! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
I think I had more of the pouches than they had! I love them! x
I bet she loves them when she tries! x
i’m sure she will!