Simple and Tasty Lunch Box Ideas for Kids

Introduction

Easy and Delicious Indian Lunch Box Recipes

Making healthy and yummy meals for kids' lunch boxes can be tricky, especially when dealing with picky eaters. This article provides easy lunch box recipes, healthy snack ideas, and tips for managing fussy eaters. The goal is to help parents with practical, tasty, and nutritious meal options for their children.

Aloo Paratha

Ingredients: 

2 cups wheat flour, 2 boiled potatoes (mashed), 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp coriander powder, salt, water, oil.

Process:

1. Mix the flour with water and knead it until you have a smooth dough.
2. In a bowl, mix mashed potatoes with cumin seeds, garam masala, coriander powder, and salt.
3. Roll a small dough ball, place some potato filling in the center, and seal the edges.
4. Roll out the filled dough into a flatbread.
5. Cook on a hot griddle with a small amount of oil until both sides are golden brown.

Egg Paratha

Ingredients: 2 cups wheat flour, 3 eggs, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 1 green chili (finely chopped), salt, oil.

Process:

1. Mix the flour with water and knead it until you have a smooth dough.
2. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add onion, green chili, and salt.
3. Roll out a small dough ball, cook partially on a griddle.
4. Pour some egg mixture on top, fold the paratha, and cook with oil until done.

Carrot Rice

Ingredients: 1 cup rice, 2 carrots (grated), 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 onion (finely chopped), curry leaves, salt, oil.

Process:

1. Cook rice and set aside.
2. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion, and curry leaves. Sauté until golden.
3. Add grated carrots, cook for a few minutes.
4. Mix in cooked rice, season with salt, and combine well.

Vegetable Pulao

Ingredients: 1 cup basmati rice, mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans), 1 onion (sliced), 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2 cloves, 1 bay leaf, salt, oil.

Process:

1. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, cloves, and bay leaf.
2. Add sliced onion, sauté until golden.
3. Add mixed vegetables and sauté.
4. Add washed rice, 2 cups of water, and salt. Cook until rice is done.

Potato Sandwich

Ingredients: 2 boiled potatoes (mashed), 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp garam masala, salt, bread slices, butter.

Process:

1. Mix mashed potatoes with cumin seeds, garam masala, and salt.
2. Spread potato mixture on a bread slice, cover with another slice.
3. Butter the outer sides and grill until golden brown.

Dosa Waffles

Ingredients: Dosa batter, oil for greasing.

Process:

1. Preheat waffle iron and grease with oil.
2. Pour dosa batter into the waffle iron.
3. Cook until crisp and golden.

Gunta Ponganalu (Kuzhi Paniyaram)

Ingredients: Leftover dosa batter, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 1 green chili (finely chopped), curry leaves, oil.

Process:

1. Mix onion, green chili, and curry leaves into the dosa batter.
2. Heat a paniyaram pan, add a little oil in each mold.
3. Pour batter into each mold, cook until golden on both sides.

Idli Upma

Ingredients: 4-5 idlis, 1 onion (finely chopped), 1 green chili (finely chopped), curry leaves, mustard seeds, oil, salt.

Process:

1. Crumble idlis.
2. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion, and green chili.
3. Sauté until onions are golden, add crumbled idlis, and mix well. Season with salt.

Burnt Garlic Fried Rice

Ingredients: 2 cups cooked rice, 4-5 garlic cloves (finely chopped), 1 small carrot (finely chopped), 1 small capsicum (finely chopped), soy sauce, oil, salt.

Process:

1. Heat oil, add finely chopped garlic and sauté until golden brown.
2. Add chopped vegetables and sauté.
3. Add cooked rice, soy sauce, and salt. Stir-fry until well combined.

Mixed Veggies Quinoa Brown Rice Cutlet

Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 cup cooked brown rice, mixed vegetables (boiled and mashed), 2 potatoes (boiled and mashed), breadcrumbs, salt, oil.

Process:

1. Mix quinoa, brown rice, mashed vegetables, and potatoes. Season with salt.
2. Shape into patties, coat with breadcrumbs.
3. Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides.
4. Wholesome and Tasty Snack Ideas

Almonds or Walnuts:

1. A handful of these nuts provides healthy fats, fiber, and protein for a quick energy boost.

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter: 

1. Spread natural peanut butter on apple slices for a sweet and savory snack.

Roasted Chickpeas: 

1. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and spices, then roast until crispy.

Tips for Dealing with Picky Eaters

Family Style Meals: 

Share meals as a family without distractions like TV or cell phones. Model healthy eating habits and serve one meal for everyone.

Avoid Food Fights: 

If a meal is refused, don’t fuss. Let children listen to their hunger cues. Pressuring them can backfire and create food aversions.

Break from Bribes: 

Avoid bribing with treats for eating other foods. This can create negative associations and battles at the dinner table.

Try, Try Again: 

Offer new foods multiple times, as it might take several attempts before taste buds accept them. Schedule meals and limit snacks to ensure hunger when introducing new foods.

Variety Matters: 

Provide a variety of healthy options, especially vegetables and fruits. Add herbs and spices to enhance flavor, and introduce new foods in small amounts, waiting before reintroducing them.

Make Food Fun: 

Present foods creatively to make them appealing. Toddlers are often open to trying foods that are arranged in an eye-catching way.

Conclusion

Packing lunch boxes with love and care can turn mealtime into an enjoyable experience for kids. By incorporating these easy recipes, nutritious snacks, and practical tips for handling picky eaters, parents can ensure their children look forward to their meals. Patience and creativity in meal preparation will help cultivate healthy eating habits and make lunchtime a delightful surprise every day.😊