As a mum of three, I’ve made hundreds of packed lunches! I’ve discovered that no two kids like the same foods, some are picky eaters and supermarkets are making a fortune out of highly-priced lunch box goodies!
But don’t despair! There are a ton of great ways to fill little bellies with a delicious and balanced lunch without breaking the bank. The cost of living is taking its toll on all families, these tips will help you stay within budget.
Are packed lunches cheaper than school dinners?
The average cost of school dinners in the UK is currently between £2.45 and £2.65 per day. Or between £12.25 and £13.25 per week. And that's just the cost for one child, so you can see that school dinners aren't cheap.
Some parents believe that the cost of packed lunches can be just as expensive or even more than school dinners. And from experience I agree, it can be just as costly, but with my tried and tested tips you can reduce the cost, making packed lunches the more affordable option.
Is your child eligible for free school meals?
First of all, check with your local council to see if your child is eligible for free school meals. According toGOV.UK “23.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, that’s up from 22.5% in 2022 and that represents over 2 million pupils”, your child might be one of the eligible children - so don’t miss out!
Meal planning is essential
I know this seems like obvious advice, but planning does save you a few quid! There’s nothing worse than having to pop to the corner shop for lunch box items, it’s stressful and expensive. Whether you are going to save leftovers or make sandwiches, make sure you have factored these items into your weekly shopping budget. If any of the items can be made in advance and frozen, get that done before the start of the week.
Save money on expensive yoghurts
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Kids love those little squeezy pouches of yoghurt and although convenient, they’re often loaded with sugar and expensive. Head to the leftovers in the fruit bowl, that last banana can be blended and added to a large pot of natural yoghurt. Invest in reusable pouches and divide your yoghurt into those. Not only is this cheaper, but it also cuts sugar and reduces waste too!
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Make the most of refill shops
Ditch expensive mini boxes of raisins or fruity treats and head to your local refill store. Take along a few jars and fill them with dried fruits, little pretzels, mini rice cakes and more. Pop those in a small container each day! Once again, this saves cash as well as packaging. The chances are many of these snacks are lower in sugar too. This is a great way to reduce the cost of your weekly groceries in general.
Prevent waste
Is your child a fussy eater? Well don’t throw those crusts away each time, pop them into a freezer bag and use them for breadcrumbs or croutons at a later date. A few lightly seasoned croutons add flavour to a lunch box or salad, in soup or just a tasty snack!
Buy whole fruits
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Pre-cut fruit bags and pots are incredibly expensive and the packaging creates waste. You can save at least 60% on fruit if you buy whole fruits and slice your own.
Pop fruit into small airtight containers or add to a Bento box to keep the fruit at its freshest. Save time on the morning rush and prepare the fruit the night before.
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How to stop apples going brown.
Apples are a favourite with kids but preventing pre-cut apples from going brown can be tricky, but not impossible!
I've tried a few methods and these are the best:
1. Cut an apple into 8ths and wrap an elastic band around it to keep all the pieces together. This prevents the air from getting to the flesh, preventing it from going brown.
2. Soak apple slices in a saltwater brine. Mix half a teaspoon of table salt in 1 cup of cold water, and pop your apple slices in there for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the apples and keep them in an airtight container. They will last up to a week, so you can do this ahead of time. And don't worry, they don't taste salty!
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Make your own sweet treats
Make your sweet treats. Small bags of kid's biscuits and treats are pricey. Cut costs by stocking up on large bags of mini pretzels or mini rice cakes. Melt a small bar of chocolate or chocolate buttons and drizzle or dip! Just remember to keep the leftovers in an airtight container so you have treats for weeks!
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Fill tummies with inexpensive veggies
Make crudités! One of the least inexpensive snacks is fresh veggies cut up into perfect dippers! You can make your dips, like hummus or garlic mayo. You can even make those croutons long and thin like breadsticks - yummy!
Chopped veggies are a great Bento box filler, adding interest and nutrition to lunchtime too. In addition to this, if you can the kids like cooking together, you could try making some homemade vegetable sushi for Bento boxes. I enjoy the available recipes at BBC Good Food.
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Leftovers are delicious and inexpensive
Leftover meat from a Sunday roast makes yummy sandwiches and there is often enough for several family lunch boxes. And if you are looking for an alternative to sandwiches, make pasta during the week, and reserve some for the next day, pasta pots are pricey but not when you make your own.
Older children might enjoy hot food. If so, invest in a food flask as it can be filled with leftover soups, chilli and stews. It’s a great way to provide a filling meal on a cold day.
What happens if I can't afford kids school meals?
As you can see, there are ways to cut costs, but I know that sometimes that's not enough. Lots of families are struggling with the basics, including providing nutritious meals, if this is you, here are some things that you can do:
Speak to your school if you are struggling with providing lunch, some schools can offer help straight away and most can point you in the direction of help or refer you to a food bank.
Contact your local council which can put you in touch with local charities and organisations.
The Independent Food Aid Network may be able to help if a regular food bank referral isn’t possible.
There’s loads of help and information available at FareShare whether you require help or would like to donate.
Packed lunches for work
And finally, it's not just kids that need a delicious packed lunch! You can save a fortune by taking your lunch to work. Why not take a look at our other blogs to find out how you could save?
Hi, I’m SJ. I’m the Beauty Editor and PR Executive here at MyVoucherCodes. As a qualified make-up artist, I've been able to share my knowledge on all things beauty and skincare with our readers so they not only look good and feel great, but save money. As a mum of three, I understand the challenges that families face, and making budgets go further is something I feel passionately about. My research and recommendations help families of all sizes shop better allowing them to enjoy the little luxuries in life. My work has been featured in many publications including The Sun, The Mirror, Netmums, and The Telegraph.
Outside of MyVoucherCodes, I'm a writer and interviewer for pop culture magazines like Buzz Magazine. I've chatted to celebrities such as Strictly's Johannes Redebeand poet Kae Tempest. It's certainly one of the best parts of my job. Over the years I've built a portfolio of work that shows the diversity of my writing, which gives me a breadth of knowledge and experience that I apply to my work every day.
