4 Ways To Create Healthy Plastic-Free Lunchboxes
To help get you started on creating wholesome lunches for your household members and reducing lunchbox waste…
Visit your nearest store to stock up on all your ingredients, snacks and our zero waste Warrior Lunch Boxes.
Be sure to tag us in your wonderful lunchbox creations @thesourcebulkfoodsireland
1. WEEKEND PREP
Try to set a few hours aside on a Saturday or Sunday to do some kitchen prep for the week ahead (you’ll thank yourself later). It’s a great way to get the kids involved and you can even reward them with some batter-bowl licking! Here are a few of our favourite ways to fill their lunchbox’s with healthy, delicious and plastic-free food…
- Batch-cook quinoa or rice for a quick burger, burrito or sandwich filler for early in the week.
- Bulk-roast some vegetables like pumpkin, pepper and sweet potato to make quick sandwiches or wraps on the go.
- Stock up on healthy treats like our dried mango, pineapple or tropical fruit mix (we can guarantee kids will love them!)
- Pre-cut vegetables like carrot, celery, cucumber and mix in separate containers with a few dollops of hummus.
- Pre-cut fruit like apples, oranges and berries and package in a few containers for a daily fruit salad.
- Boil some eggs, and set aside for easy use during the week.
- Make a few jars of muesli, chia seed puddings or granola.
- Make a double batch of healthy muffins or muesli bars and freeze the other half for the week after.
- Make a few quiches and vegetable slices and freeze for later use.
2. PREP IN BULK
Head to your local The Source Bulk Foods with your kids for your weekly shopping haul. Bring in your own containers or glass jars and fill them up with healthy and delicious bulk foods like grains, beans & pulses, seeds, snacks, herbs & spices, dried fruits and more.
We also have an extensive range of nut-friendly, gluten-friendly, vegan, and organic products to choose from. Be sure to explain to your kids why you’re choosing to buy in bulk and what that means for the planet.
Making your food shop fun is a great way to get your kids excited for school lunches, plus we always have free samples to try instore! (for you and the kids).
Invest in large jars and fill with your children’s favourite snacks. Keeping them airtight and stored in a cool, dry place, these snacks will last for weeks. This stash is also handy for when guests pop over or movie nights!
3. DITCH THE DISPOSABLES
Ditch individually wrapped snacks and single use cutlery and create a fun lunchbox kit for your kids!
Warrior Lunch Boxes
While in store, be sure to check out our warrior lunch box. Keep your kids’ lunches fresh and secure with our stainless steel, dishwasher safe and non-toxic boxes that make lunchtime fun!
Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax Food Wraps are a wonderful re-usable alternative to plastic food wraps – reducing the waste and toxic pollutants associated with plastics. Handmade in the UK our beeswax wraps are inherently antimicrobial andwater repellent, making them perfect for keeping your kids lunchbox goodies fresh, and you can reuse the wraps over & over again!
Bamboo Cutlery
Rather than sending kids to school with plastic cutlery, grab them a set of reusable bamboo cutlery to take. Perfect for eating leftovers, yoghurt or salads, our sturdy cutlery set is the perfect eco-friendly reusable alternative to single use sets!
4. DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS
When it comes to developing healthy eating habits in your kids, balance is the most important thing you can teach. For us at The Source Bulk Foods, we believe in the 80/20 rule: try to give your kids healthy selections 80 per cent of the time and save a few snacks like our freeze dried yoghurt raspberries or organic fruit gummy bears for occasional treats.
After school snacks can also be a challenge with kids often reaching for an easy sugary snack. Why not try prepping a healthy alternative like our Sweet Nut-Free Muesli Bar recipe? Made with whole oats and a whole lot of love, these bars are a perfect healthy alternative to store-bought muesli bars.
To create long term healthy and eco-friendly habits with your kids it’s also important to amplify your message. One way to do this is to share your “why” with your kids:
- Why should your kids choose healthy foods?
- What does healthy food do for their growing body?
There are plenty of fun and educational games available online that teach kids about healthy eating.
It’s also important to share your “why” when it comes to waste. Be vocal with your kids about why packaging and plastic waste is a big no-no for the environment. You might even like to watch documentaries like 2040 with your kids. By educating your little ones, you can rest assured knowing our beautiful planet will thrive for generations to come!
