It’s not easy living with a picky eater. You know your child needs a hearty serving of healthy fruits and veggies each day, but if they refuse to even touch green stuff, you may soon find yourself at your wit’s end. While a bento lunch box from a reputable bento lunch box company can help you safely and easily pack multiple types of nutritious foods for your child with minimal mess on your part, it can be difficult to figure out what to actually put in that box in the first place. Don’t despair quite yet, though. There are plenty of ways to sneak some nutritious veggies into your child’s diet. Here are a few options to consider for the picky child in your life.
Cheesy Veggies
Mac and cheese is the perfect quick and easy lunch. There’s not a whole lot of nutritional value in this indulgent meal, though. Consider finely grating or chopping veggies like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, or even tomatoes and adding them in when you’re whipping up a batch. Cruciferous veggies like many of these have been shown to promote a healthy cardiovascular system. Even if your child notices the new additions, they might not even care thanks to the deliciously cheesy sauce that covers it all up. You can use the same strategy for quesadillas, lasagnas, and grilled cheese sandwiches, which can also cover up the veggies with melty cheese.
Vegetable Tacos
Speaking of cruciferous veggies, you can blend cauliflower and broccoli together to make amazing tacos that taste just like the classic beef or chicken versions. Throw chopped veggies into a food processor and blend to get small pieces, then simmer in water and taco seasoning until everything is nice and soft. Then, you can wrap the mixture up into your favorite tortillas or, for a super healthy twist, use lettuce leaves instead. These get an extra boost from toppings like lettuce and tomatoes, making these tacos as nutritious as they are tasty.
Meatloaf Surprise
When you’re mixing in a whole bunch of meat, breadcrumbs, and spices to make burgers or meatloaf, why not mix in some veggies, too? Pureed carrots can provide vitamins essential to improved eye health and lower cholesterol levels. Chopped up mushrooms, meanwhile, are full of protein and fiber, which provide energy and help your child feel full. These veggies are mild-tasting enough that they can be mixed right into savory dishes without being detected, so go ahead and throw in a little something extra.
Zucchini Fries
French fries are a great treat, but too many days of fast food can lead to problems. Try a healthy alternative instead with baked zucchini fries. They’re still breaded in flour and cornmeal, but by baking instead of frying, you avoid unhealthy fats. Zucchini is packed with vitamins that can help improve digestion, lower blood sugar, improve circulation, boost energy, and protect against inflammation. They’re a savory and satisfying substitution for traditional potato fries.
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are really a 50-50 mix of potatoes and cauliflower, making for a filling and delicious side dish that’s much healthier than it looks. The secret ingredient supports healthy bones thanks to a generous serving of vitamin K, and it’s also been shown to boost brain health, improve digestion, and keep eyes healthy. Just be sure to keep an eye on how much butter and salt you’re using to whip these up — a little will go a long way because cooked cauliflower tends to result in a creamy consistency when mashed.
Sweet Potato Brownies
When it’s time for dessert, the battle isn’t over yet. Miniature sweet potato brownies are the perfect size to give your kids a sweet treat without overloading on sugar and chocolate. As an added bonus, they’re full of sweet potatoes, which are high in vitamin C and vitamin A. These can boost your child’s immune system during flu season and help them maintain healthy skin, vision, and organ functions year-round. The touch of sweetness in the potatoes only enhances the chocolate flavor, so no one will ever know what’s packing that extra punch.
Using a Bento Lunch Box
The best way to pack your veggie-filled lunches is in a bento lunch box. These containers are divided into several sections, allowing you to use just one container to pack a variety of foods. Kangovou’s bento lunch boxes are double insulated, keeping food hot or cold without transferring temperatures to the outside and making them easy to handle. Each box is made with stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, so you can be sure that the food inside will be free from harmful chemicals found in other types of plastic. The bento lunch box is easier to store, clean, and transport than typical lunchtime containers. They are an ideal lunch container for busy and health-conscious families trying to make lunchtime easier.
Free Shipping!
For all orders over $50