Packed Lunch and Picnic Inspiration

Guest Blog from Maria Vargas – Poole Mumbler

The summer holidays are here and as always I’m trying to keep my children entertained without spending a fortune (while also desperately trying to keep screens to a healthy(ish) level).

Having lived abroad, I’m aware that the UK is a fantastic place for children to grow up. There are beautiful parks, woods, nature reserves and great outdoors activities up and down the country. And the best part is, many of these attractions are completely free!

However, I have always struggled in the past to work out the best way to feed my hungry kids while we are out and about. It seems like I either spend an astronomic amount of money in cafes and restaurants – mostly on unhealthy options – or, in an attempt to eat a bit healthier and save some pennies, I spend hours preparing an overcomplicated lunch, only to find out that I forgot to pack a fork and we can’t eat our noodles (true story).

So I thought I’d put a list together with healthy packed lunch ideas, in the hope it’ll make my summer days easier. I hope you find it useful too.

Healthy contents ideas

Sandwiches

The most obvious choice when it comes to packed lunches. The options are endless! Here are some ideas:

• Ham
• Egg mayo
• Tuna and sweet corn
• Tuna and black olive
• Salmon and salad cream
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese
• Chicken salad
• Plain hummus
• Hummus and grated carrot
• Hummus and tomato
• Plain cheese
• 2-3 different types of cheese
• Cheese and pickle
• Mozzarella and pesto
• Apple and cheese
• Jam
• Turkey
• Mashed avocado
• Honey
• Mashed banana and honey
• Nut butter
• Peanut butter and apple
• Tahini paste and roasted veg
• Coronation chicken or any curried mayo
• Prawn cocktail

Or any combination of the above.

Types of bread:

• Pitta pockets
• Bagels
• Rolls
• Baguettes
• Sandwich bread (brown, white, etc.)
• Wraps
• Flat bread
• Thins, etc.

You could also use taco shells if you fancy a change.

Other food ideas:

• Quiche
• Mini-quiche . You can make these in cupcake baking trays
• Chicken bites
• Hummus and breadsticks
• Scotch eggs
• Cocktail sausages
• Boiled eggs
• Boiled eggs filled with hummus
• Boiled eggs filled with tuna mayo
• Cream cheese and cucumber sticks
• Olives
• Savoury muffins, you can add any veg you have, even frozen veg
• Salad
• Vegetable sticks
• Baked Beans
• Pasta with pesto
• Pasta with grated cheese. Add cooked beans for extra protein
• Couscous salad
• Popcorn. You can easily make your own, it works out much cheaper
• Nachos (tortilla chips topped with grated cheese)
• Noodles
• Rice salad
• Mini burgers
• Bean salad
• Quinoa
• Rice cakes
• Pretzels
• Cooked prawns
• Mozzarella balls or any other type of cheese
• Leftovers. Any leftovers from the night before can make the perfect bite for lunch the day after. Just make sure things like rice, fish and chicken are kept cool.

Pudding ideas

• Oat bars
• Fruit
• Greek yoghurt topped with fruit
• Yoghurt topped with granola
• Yoghurt
• Dried fruit
• Jelly
• Pancakes
• Cheese and grapes
• Cheese and crackerS
• Scones

Container Ideas

Bento style boxes

I discovered these when my youngest started at her child minder and I needed to send her packed lunches. You can get them in any supermarket or order one online. It’s a great space saver because the entire lunch goes in one box and kiddies love the little compartments.

Tupperware boxes

These are great for keeping leftover bits and pieces, which you can then use in your lunches. Toddlers in particular love to discover what’s in the box and are more likely to try a bit. There’s definitely a novelty element to them.

Nowadays you also find a box for every purpose. Look around your local supermarket and you’ll find boxes for dips, with a long compartment for veg or bread sticks and another one for the dip. I love the tiny tubs for salad dressing. No more soggy salad for me!

Jars

Although very trendy these days, and much more environmentally friendly, they aren’t great to carry foodaround, specially if you are running after little people. They work better for a packed lunch you take to work and leave in the fridge until lunchtime.

Food safety

Providing you have an insulated bag and an ice pack you can carry pretty much anything. However, I wouldn’t keep things like fish or chicken for any longer than 3-4 hours.
If you are using leftover food from the night before, cool at room temperature as quickly as possible and refrigerate immediately.

Don’t forget

Remember to pack any cutlery and napkins you think you’ll need. I tend to chop everything before packing it so I only need a fork or spoon.
Also remember your dressing if you are having a salad. A bit of cling film before you screw the top is a good way to avoid leakages.

 

Thanks so much to our guest blogger Maria. If you have family or friends in Poole, Dorset then be sure to let them know about Poole Mumbler which has just set up as a Facebook group HERE and will be launching as a website very soon.