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Mum-of-four reveals a secret she used to make sure her kids lunchbox comes back completely empty everyday – & it’s easy
There's a special reason why this hack works and it's worth a go
A MUM has revealed her ‘secret’ trick she has used to make sure her kids' lunch boxes can be completely empty everyday.
Petra, who is a mum-of-three, is on a mission to help her children eat healthier now they are back to school.
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After years of having children who were fussy eaters, Petra, 36, has discovered a savvy food hack which ensures her kids are always getting the nutrients they need.
She explained that she now spends “30 to 40 minutes” creating their lunch boxes each weekday and “30 to 40 minutes” on the weekend “planning their lunch boxes for the following week.”
All together this means she spent over three hours a week working on her children's meals, but the results are priceless.
Speaking to , also explains: “If they would like pasta and sauce or soup in their lunch box, I will spend one to two hours on the weekend prepping them.
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“We also bake every weekend as they love freshly baked treats, and they will take these in with their packed lunch."
Petra, who goes by the name of on Instagram, has pride in taking extra care to present her children’s meals which she believes has become a total gamechanger.
She says: “I make healthier foods more appealing to my children by making them look fun. I always cut sandwiches into shapes or use sandwich stamps.
“I cut fruit into shapes or make fruit kebabs or platters. If I make a fruit platter, I will make a pattern or a shape of something they love.
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“I also put fruit inside jelly for them to eat and fruit inside ice cubes for their drinks.
“I have lots of shapes and cutters to make food look fun and appealing and I use character food picks for them to pick up their fruit.
Low cost lunchboxes for under £1
"I also use fresh fruit to make sorbets and ice cream for them, too.”
Petra also incorporates her children's preferences into her planning.
She says: “My children are not a fan of surprise food as they like to know what they’re having.
“Routine is key with them, and when I'm planning their lunch boxes for the week, I ask them what they would like for each day and then ask them what snacks and fruit they would like.
'Improve their relationship'
“I will, however, put in little surprises each day that I know they will love, like healthy snacks or treats."
With patience and creativity, Petra has helped her children gradually improve their relationship with food.
She says: “I honestly believe that no matter how fussy a child is, if you get creative and think outside of the box when it comes to mealtimes, you can ensure they get everything they need.”
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Why do these tricks work for lunch boxes?
Niloufar Esmaeilpour, a registered clinical counsellor at , believes Petra’s approach is correct when it comes to encouraging her children to eat more healthily.
She says: “Adding faces or cutting food into shapes taps into a child’s sense of play and imagination, making eating more enjoyable.
“When children see a plate with a smiley face made from vegetables or a star-shaped sandwich, they are already intrigued and more willing to taste the food.
“This way, eating becomes fun rather than an obligation.
“Parents and caregivers need to be aware that this whole process requires a lot of patience and consistency.
“Repeated exposure of food in the most fun and engaging manner can gradually change preferences.”
Petra advises other parents struggling with fussy eaters to “stick to things they like in a lunch box and get creative with those things so your child doesn't become bored.”
She continues: “Lunch boxes are not the time to try new foods.
“You have more chances of them trying new things at home. Stick to what they love, be creative, think outside of the box.
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“It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else if your child likes food in certain ways that are not conventional.”
Head to for more information on children's health.
Easy lunch box ideas that aren't sarnies
Here are some kid-friendly, easy lunch box ideas that aren't sandwiches:
Pizza Roll-Ups
Ingredients: Tortilla wraps, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices.
Instructions: Spread marinara sauce on the tortilla, sprinkle cheese and add pepperoni. Roll up and slice into pinwheels.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients: Cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mini mozzarella balls, Italian dressing.
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and toss with dressing.
Veggie and Hummus Wraps
Ingredients: Tortilla wraps, hummus, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips.
Instructions: Spread hummus on the tortilla and add veggies. Roll up and slice into pinwheels.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
Ingredients: Sliced turkey, cheese sticks, whole grain crackers.
Instructions: Roll turkey slices around cheese sticks and pack with a side of crackers.
DIY Lunchables
Ingredients: Whole grain crackers, sliced cheese, turkey or ham slices, apple slices.
Instructions: Pack all ingredients separately so kids can assemble their own mini sandwiches.
Mini Pancakes and Fruit
Ingredients: Mini pancakes, mixed berries, syrup (optional).
Instructions: Pack mini pancakes with a side of berries and a small container of syrup for dipping.
Cucumber Sushi Rolls
Ingredients: Cucumber, cream cheese, sliced turkey or ham.
Instructions: Slice cucumber lengthwise, spread with cream cheese, and roll up with turkey or ham. Slice into bite-sized pieces.
Fruit Kababs
Ingredients: Various fruits (grapes, strawberries, pineapple, melon), cheese cubes.
Instructions: Thread fruit and cheese cubes onto skewers.
Cheese and Veggie Muffins
Ingredients: Shredded zucchini, shredded carrot, shredded cheese, eggs, flour.
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together, pour into a muffin tin, and bake until set.
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