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When it comes to school lunches, we mums can get a little overwhelmed. How much to pack? Is it healthy enough? Will he get hungry throughout the day? Reduced sugar? No nuts?. There is no wonder we can sometimes be stumped as to WHAT to put in the school lunchbox every day.

For me, it comes down to the ingredients. I am a mum of three who has an asthmatic child and also a child that has been known to throw the odd temper tantrum. After removing food additives from everyones diet within my family, I noticed a huge improvement. This is why 5 years later, I am still doing it.

When I know and understand what is in the food product itself, it is then that I can make an informed choice. Here are a few simple rules I use for when buying food for my children:

• If I can not pronounce it, I don’t buy it.
• At a quick glance, are there FAR too many ingredients?
• Can I buy the ingredients used, to make it myself? (it is amazing how much stuff can go into a muesli bar)
• Are there too many numbers used? (many cause behavioural and learning issues in children)
• Is this just marketed well, so the kids pester me to buy it?

Making up an additive free lunch box is not as hard as you may think.

Lets take a look at a few easy options:

• air popped popcorn
• boiled egg
• carrot sticks
• crackers (plain) & cheese
• cut up fruit
• chicken drumsticks
• sushi (I always make more for the next day)
• pasta salad
• corn chips (plain)
• fruit straps (100% fruit)
• home baked muffin, slice or cookie (plenty of recipes on my website to help out)
• yoghurt (frozen in summer)

…the list is endless. The time it takes for me to create an additive free lunch box far out ways the possible side effects of feeding my children any harmful food additives. One simple change can make all the difference….because our children are worth it!

Article by Tanya Winfield www.additivefreepantry.com