Don’t Ditch the Lunchbox at the End of Term - Why You Should Keep Making School Lunches During the Holidays

Mother of two and founder of Flip Lid Lunchboxes, Samantha Judd said the struggle to get our kids to consider the healthy food we’d prefer them to eat can potentially be eased if we start an introduction process now rather than on the first day of the new school term.

“If I pack something new in my kids lunch boxes that they haven’t seen before, they’ll take one look at it at school and in a split second decide not to try it,” said Ms Judd.

“But if I make the same thing at home over the holidays, I’ve got the opportunity to sit down to lunch with them and, at the very least, persuade them to taste it,” she said.

“How many times do kids say they don’t like something without even trying it?”

“My aim is for my kids to enjoy a wide variety of food for their school recess & lunch, but I know I’m not going to achieve this if I leave it until the start of school to introduce new recipes into their lunch boxes.”

“They say that a child has to be exposed to a new food 10 – 15 times before they will consider trying it, so aren’t we setting ourselves up to fail when we decide to add something new to our kids’ lunch box and just assume that they’re going to eat it first time around?”

“I know there are parents for whom this isn’t a problem as they have kids who will give anything a go, but unfortunately I’m not one of them so I need to find another way to encourage my kids to widen their taste-bud horizons.”

“I’m not saying that you literally have to pack lunch boxes every day of the school holidays, but to continue to plan meals for recess and lunch and use the opportunity to try new things now while you have the benefit of being around at meal times.”

“Take the opportunity to get your kids involved.  Encourage them to browse through a cooking magazine or website and choose a dish they haven’t tasted before, then make it together.  Afterwards, talk about what they did or didn’t like and what they would change.”

Ms Judd said she understands not all parents are able to be home with their children for the entire school holidays, so if your kids are cared for by grandparents or other family members, plan and pack their lunch boxes as if for school. 

Explain to the grandparent/carer what you are trying to achieve and ask them to take your place at meal times, giving the encouragement you’re not there to give.

The earlier you start exposing them to different & healthier foods, by way of their lunch boxes, the more likely it will be less of a battle when school starts again.

There’s no time like the present to try and re-train them out of junk food cravings and bad habits.
 
About Samantha Judd
Samantha Judd is a single mother of two who has created a unique new lunchbox that aims to encourage children to become involved in packing their own healthy school lunches.  Guided by the 6 compartments, it’s quick and easy to include a range of healthy options for recess and lunch.
 
Media Contact:
Samantha Judd
E: Sam@fliplid.com.au
W: www.fliplid.com.au


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Contact Information

Samantha Judd

Managing Director

Flip Lid Lunchboxes

Sam@fliplid.com.au