Dealing with a fussy eater can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to packing their tiffin boxes for school or work. As a parent or caregiver, you want to ensure that they are getting the right nutrition while also making their meals appealing enough for them to enjoy.
To help you overcome the hurdle, we have compiled 15 amazing tiffin ideas that are sure to please even the most finicky eaters. These creative and nutritious recipes will not only make mealtime exciting but also ensure that they are getting a balanced diet.
15 Nutritious Lunch Box Recipes to Please Fussy Tastes
1. Oats Patty
Oats patties are a delicious and healthy vegetarian option that can be enjoyed as a snack or as a part of a meal. Packed with nutrients and fiber, oats patties are a great way to incorporate complex carbohydrates into your kid’s diet. You can pack it with coconut chutney and pomegranates.
2. Dal Veggie Idli
Dal veggie is a healthy and flavourful variation of the traditional South Indian Idli. By incorporating cooked lentils and vegetables into the batter, you can enhance the nutritional value and taste of the idlis. You can pack it with coconut chutney and fruit chaat.
3. Potato Spinach Omelet
A potato spinach omelet is a delicious and nutritious dish that combines the flavors of eggs, potatoes, and spinach. It’s a simple and filling option for a tiffin box. Pack it with coconut bounty just for the sweet craving of your young one.
4. Homemade Premix For Appe
This premix is a great option if you have to prepare tiffin quickly. This premix can be made in large quantities and kept in the fridge. Pack the healthy appe with hummus and apple.
5. Veg Kebabs
Vegetable soya kebabs are a delicious and protein–packed vegetarian alternative to traditional meat kebabs. Made with a combination of vegetables, soya granules, and flavourful spices, these kebabs are a perfect tiffin box option. Pack it with cucumber and carrot sticks and hummus.
6. Homemade Cheese Spread
Making homemade cheese spreads is a great way to enjoy a creamy and flavourful spread without additives and preservatives. You can apply it to wholegrain toast, make a sandwich and pack it with fruit chaat.
7. Homemade Jam
Making homemade jam is a wonderful way to enjoy the natural flavors of fruits while controlling the amount of sugar and additives. Apply it on a toast and prepare a sandwich and pack it with cucumber carrot beet salad.
8. Rajma Patty
Rajma Patty also known as kidney bean patty or rajma cutlet is a protein-rich option for your kids made with boiled rajma and a blend of spices and herbs. These patties are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. These can be packed in tiffin boxes with coconut chutney and fruit chaat.
9. Mung Dal Chilla
Mung dal chilla or mung bean pancake, is a nutritious and healthy popular option to be packed in tiffin for your kids. It can be packed along with smoked sweet potato and coconut bounty.
10. Pumpkin Spread
Pumpkin spread is a flavourful and versatile condiment that can be used in sandwiches, wraps, or as a dip from crackers. This option can be given to kids with watermelon slices and chickpea cookies.
11. Veggie Sprouts Rice
Veggie sprouts rice is a nutritious and flavourful dish that combines cooked rice with a variety of fresh vegetables and sprouts. It’s a great way to incorporate the goodness of sprouts and vegetables into your meals. This can be given with coconut bounty and Greek yogurt.
12. Mung Dal Tikki
Moong dal tikki, also known as moong dal cutlet or split green gram patties, is a delicious and protein–packed snack made from soaked and ground moong dal. This can be packed with coconut chutney and pomegranates.
13. Homemade Peanut Butter
Homemade peanut butter is a delicious and nutritious spread that you can easily make at home with just a few ingredients. This peanut butter sandwich can be combined with half a banana or half an apple.
14. Quinoa Bean Salad
Quinoa bean salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines protein–rich quinoa with a variety of beans and fresh vegetables. Pack it with coconut bounty and fruit salad.
15. Namkeen Seviyaan
Namkeen Seviyaan, also known as savory vermicelli, is a delicious and popular Indian dish made with roasted vermicelli noodles cooked in a savory and aromatic blend of spices and vegetables. These can be packed with corn chaat and hummus.
Which Tiffin Box to Choose for Packing Lunch?
When it comes to choosing a tiffin box for your lunch, there are several options available that offer convenience, practicality, and the ability to keep your food fresh. Here are a few popular choices:
- Stainless Steel Tiffin Boxes: Stainless steel tiffin boxes are durable, eco-friendly, and a great choice for packing your lunch. They are easy to clean, non-toxic, and do not retain odors. Look for tiffin boxes with multiple compartments or stackable containers to keep different food items separate.
- Glass Containers: Glass containers are another excellent option for packing your lunch. They are safe, non-toxic, and do not leach any harmful chemicals into your food. Glass containers are microwave-safe, easy to clean, and offer a clear view of your meal. However, they can be heavier and more fragile than other options.
- Bento Boxes: Bento boxes originated in Japan and are known for their compartmentalized design, allowing you to pack different foods in separate sections. Bento boxes often come with removable dividers, making them versatile and suitable for a variety of meals. They are available in plastic, stainless steel, or even eco-friendly bamboo materials.
- Insulated Lunch Boxes: Insulated lunch boxes or thermal bags are designed to keep your food warm or cold for an extended period. They are ideal for packing meals that need to be kept at a specific temperature, such as soups, stews, or salads. Look for insulated lunch boxes with leak-proof compartments to prevent any spills.
- Lunch Jars: Lunch jars are an innovative option that allows you to layer your meal vertically. These jars typically have separate compartments that can hold different components of your meal, such as rice, vegetables, and protein. They are compact, leak-proof, and provide a neat and organized way to pack your lunch.
When choosing a tiffin box, consider your specific needs, such as the number of compartments you require, the type of food you typically pack, and whether you need insulation. Additionally, ensure that the tiffin box you select is easy to clean, BPA-free, and suits your style and preferences.
Which Material is Best for Packing Tiffin for Your kids?
When it comes to choosing the best packing material for wrapping your lunch, several options are available. The choice depends on factors such as food safety, environmental impact, and practicality.
- Parchment Paper: It’s a versatile option for wrapping food. It is typically unbleached and grease–resistant, making it suitable for wrapping sandwiches, baked goods, or snacks. While parchment paper is not reusable, it is biodegradable and compostable, reducing its environmental impact.
- Paper bags: Paper Bags made from recycled materials or unbleached paper are a simple and eco-friendly option for wrapping sandwiches, fruits, or dry snacks. While they may not offer as much protection as other materials, they are biodegradable and can be recycled or composted.
- Reusable Cloth: A handkerchief-sized cloth is best to pack lunch as it is reusable, breathable for food, and can be surely sterilized before use. Being eco-friendly it also keeps food free from being soggy and allows good bacteria to thrive.
2 Reasons why aluminum foils must be avoided
- Aluminum foils can’t avoid oxygen from spoiling the food as soon as oxygen comes in contact with the food, it starts spoiling it. This allows bad bacteria to grow inside the food.
- An insignificant amount of aluminum is leached into your food from the aluminum foil. Long-term use of aluminum foil builds up an aluminum amount in your child’s blood.
Hear from our client
