Lunchboxes: Meet The Ladies Who Lunch

It might come as a surprise to some, but there are actually a lot of mums (and dads) out there who really enjoying making daily lunchboxes for their children. WhichSchoolAdvisor.com spoke to mum and member of Facebook group: Mirdif Kids Lunch Box Ideas, Caroline Davidson, about why she loves making her daughters' daily lunchboxes.

Can you give us an overview of you, your child and your lunchbox 'philosophy?'

I'm 43, married and currently a stay at home mummy to two girls aged 4 and 5 (almost 6). I've just qualified as a nursery school teacher and feel that as a mummy and teacher, I have to educate kids in a fun, and healthy way about eating a nutritious, healthy and fun diet. My girls have to eat lunch so I'd rather know what they are eating and what's in it. 

Why do you prefer to make your school lunchbox?

My girls have to eat lunch and I'd rather make it myself so I know exactly what they're having. I also know what my girls like so make sure that there is something they like in their lunch boxes, however I do also repeatedly give them new things or things they say they don't like just to keep trying them with it and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I also try to vary what they have between pasta, wraps, sandwiches, salad and rice and ensure that I give them plenty of fresh fruit, and vegetable where I can.

Briefly explain your shopping/prep procedure for weekly lunchboxes

I'm really sad. I do a weekly menu which includes what we are having for lunch and dinner every night. I try to incorporate leftovers into lunchboxes too to reduce the amount of time I spend in the kitchen preparing them. Once I have planned what we are having I do a shopping list and every week my wonderful husband does the shopping for me on his days off. I sometimes batch cook mini quiches, samosas, pizza rolls etc and freeze them so that I can whip one out the night before and stick them in the lunchboxes ready for the next day.

How long does it take you to prepare a daily lunchbox?

I try to spend as little time as possible preparing lunchboxes hence the planner. I do prepare them the night before though and if I'm giving them a hot lunch, I'll heat it through for them on the morning before putting it in their thermos food flasks. In total it usually takes me about 10 a 15 minutes to do the lunches.

How much do you spend on lunchboxes per week?

At the most around Dhs 200 a week but usually it would be about Dhs 150 as my girls are only young and don't eat a huge amount. We also don't shop in the most expensive supermarkets so that we can keep our costs down and I prepare as much myself as I can.

What do you think are the nutritional benefits of making your own lunch box?

It is hugely beneficial to a child to have good healthy meals. Children need nutrients, vitamins and minerals to grow healthy and strong. A good balanced healthy diet will help a child grow, concentrate at school, and fight off disease. By Preparing them yourself with fresh (where possible) ingredients you are giving your child the best start you can and showing them that food doesn't have to be boring just because it's healthy. It is also good to know what is in your children's food. If you have a child that has allergies or intolerances to certain food it is hugely important to make your own as the child will know that what they are eating is not going to cause any adverse reaction.

We spoke to other members of the Mirdif Kids Lunch Box Ideas Facebook group about why they love making lunchboxes: 

Shanayr Van Hoff "I love making packed lunches because I know exactly what is in them. My daughter also has a choice and gets involved in buying the food and making them with me."

Shazia Bharuchi "I like making my own lunches because I know exactly what ingredients have gone into the cooked food so I don't feel guilty about what she will be eating. I can also make sure she has a balance of foods for her lunch."

Yoan 'Jo' Latuasan "I love the feel of them taking a part of me to school. Knowing that they will be thinking of me while eating as I am thinking of them while preparing it."

Heba Wassef "It's the only way I can be sure what are the ingredients of the food they eat, because no matter what it says in the ready made lunches it will definitely have some kind of additives and preservatives. Add to this the amount of salt and hidden sugar in all that . Also having their lunches made at home allows me to know what they like and dislike and to make sure they have a well balanced diet even when I am not around."

Shana Al-Ansari "I find joy in the tedious task of packing my daughter's lunches for numerous reasons, but one that stands out to me is the fact that I was not raised to understand proper nutrition and diet... I want to supply her with healthy foods even when she says she hates them. My job is to keep offering them and preparing them... and I love being able to give her something I didn't get and in addition, know I'm doing my part in keeping her healthy!"