The vacations are going to be over soon, and the kids will be heading back to school again. From waking them up in the morning to checking their homework, back-to-school time is going to be a little stressful. Apart from these things, preparing their tiffin box is another task that you must be ready for in the morning. Due to our busy mornings, we usually go for quick and easy dishes to pack in their lunch box.
However, it is important to ensure that our kids are eating nutritious food in school and avoiding heavily processed foods like soda, packed fries, and more. Protein is an essential nutrient that is vital during the growth years of children. It helps in the overall development of their body, along with building immunity. That's not all! Vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, and nuts are important additions to their diet, for they provide the kids with essential nutrients like vitamins, fibre, minerals, and more. A balanced meal helps them concentrate in their classes and be energetic on the playground. And to pack all these into one meal, one must be able to create clever combinations of food to pack in their children's lunch boxes.
Here are five protein-rich recipes you can pack in the tiffin box of your school-going kids:
Paneer Bhurji
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Paneer bhurji is a delicious savoury dish made with crumbled paneer, onions, tomatoes, and spices like coriander, cumin powder, and garam masala. It is a flavourful and protein-rich recipe that is ideal for packing in the tiffin box of your kids, as it takes only 15 minutes to prepare. You can also wrap it in rotis to make it interesting and delicious. Along with protein, paneer is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D, which can support the bone and tooth health of your kids. Paneer bhurji can be paired with paratha, pav, or packed as a sandwich in the tiffin box.
Besan Chilla
Along with being a popular breakfast, besan chilla can also become a perfect tiffin box dish for your kids, as it takes less than half an hour to prepare. With its delicious taste, this desi pancake can surely steal the heart of your child. Made from a batter of chickpea flour, water, and spices like cumin and coriander, besan chilla is best served with mint chutney or a tangy tomato sauce. It can be made more nutritious and flavourful by adding vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Besan chilla is high in protein, vitamins, and phosphorus.
Chicken Mayonnaise Sandwich
This scrumptious sandwich is a delicious amalgamation of tender chicken, creamy mayonnaise, grated carrots, cabbage, and finely sliced onions, along with butter and flavourful spices like pepper and mustard. Prepared within ten minutes, this sandwich is going to be your kid's favourite tiffin box item, as it tastes amazing and also provides essential nutrients like proteins and vitamins. You can also add some fruit salad next to the chicken mayonnaise sandwich to make the tiffin more colourful and nutritious.
Dal Paratha
Made with lentils, wheat flour, and a few spices like cumin powder, this is one of the yummiest ways to include lentils in your kid's tiffin box. Paired with egg or paneer bhurji, green mint chutney, or tomato ketchup, this filling dish will keep your kids active throughout the day. Dal paratha is high in fibre and protein. Prepared within half an hour, it can also be packed with dry vegetable stir-fries made from lady fingers, potatoes, etc.
Egg Roll
This is another protein-packed dish that perfectly fits into your kids' tiffin menu. Made by scrambling eggs along with salt, pepper, and chopped vegetables, it is best paired with tomato ketchup. Just put the chapati over the prepared egg mixture and fold it into a roll, and you are good to go. Prepared within 20 minutes, this filling dish provides energy for your kids throughout their school hours.