07 Mar 2016

Packing a lunch box for a pre-schooler has been known to be a really stressing moment for many parents whose children attend pre-school.

The Skaftini or Mopako, as lunch boxes are commonly referred to are often packed with unhealthy food for these little school going boys and girls that end up weakening their bodies and denying them the much needed nutrients.

According to the director of Little Cocoon Pre-School, Ms Katlo Maribe, who also holds a Diploma in Nutrition Studies from the University of South Africa, parents need to know the right food to put in their pre-school going children’s lunch boxes.

In an interview, Ms Maribe explained that going to school is associated with increased mental performance, high energy demands and increased stress.

“It is very important that parents know that energy and nutrients deficiency meals during this tender age can result in these young scholars developing fatigue, lowered immunity and poor mental performance,” she said.

Ms Maribe also noted that parents must ensure their kids eat meals that are balanced in energy.

Before packing a lunch box, Ms Maribe recommended a healthy breakfast such as a smoothie blended with fruit and yoghurt, small bowl of cooked oats, mealie meal porridge accompanied by a fruit, a small bowl of muesli with milk or yoghurt and a fruit.

“My ideal lunch box is the intake of low-fat-protein sources; fish sourced fat and a high intake of vegetables and fruits,” she said.

She warned parents to desist from giving their children lunch money but should instead pack them home prepared healthy lunch boxes.

“You would be surprised at what our younger children buy with the lunch money that parents give them. Mostly, they buy cheese snacks and plenty of sweets. When you give a child lunch money, you should also teach him what type of meal he should buy with the money,” she added.

She said she is not disregarding sweet treats either for as long as they are given in moderation, and a small treat used as a snack and not as part of a meal, rather in between meals is not bad for a child.

Ms Maribe discouraged parents from giving their children things like candies, crisps and chocolates as they interfere with the child’s appetite.

Furthermore, she explained that a healthy meal for a pre-scholer’s lunch box does not necessarily mean it needs to be expensive.

“It is all about understanding the source of good nutrition. For example, brown bread with peanut butter spread is as healthy as a sandwich.” Ends