The Tiffin Box is such an intimidating term these days; not only for parents and school authorities but for children too. For the former because there is pressure to provide the right kind of food. For the latter because there is pressure to finish up this right kind of food! Amidst this battle, there has to be some sort of a balance that needs to be struck between unhealthy and healthy food. If the tiffin contains foods that are not tasty, the parents and children are at loggerheads. But if the tiffin contains foods that are tasty but not healthy (junk food) then the parents and school authorities are at loggerheads. It is important for a child to get nutritious food, so he/she grows up active and healthy. But if a balanced diet is not provided then malnourishment cannot be made up for, by any amount of brain tonics.

The school years are when a child’s body is developing, so here are some healthy and tasty tiffin options to ensure right kind of nutrition is provided.

Stuffed parathas/rotis – vegetable or minced chicken can be stuffed in wheat dough.
Idlis – plain Idlis can be made tasty by adding grated carrots and peas. Also one can sauté some cut carrots and boiled peas along with ready idli’s.
Mushroom and chicken rolls – pancakes made out of milk and flour can be stuffed with mushrooms or chicken.
Whole wheat pasta – with fresh tomato paste and chopped vegetables.
Brown bread sandwiches
Home made muesli – mix wheat flakes, corn flakes, rice flakes and oat flakes, now to this you can add chopped dried fruits like walnuts, prunes, apricots and raisins. Top all that off with a nice drizzle of honey.
Nutri (Soya) nuggets – this can be cooked and put in healthy breads, over pizzas or even in parathas.
Rice flakes (Poha) with lots of peas, onions, tomatoes and curry patta.
Home made whole wheat bread pizza, using crumbled paneer, chopped capsicums and hung curd dressing and home made tomato paste. (To make hung curd dressing, put toned milk curd in a muslin cloth and bunch it up leaving all the curd in the center, now hang it, once the water is completely drained out, add the flavourings and herbs.) Mix the toppings with 1 teaspoon of cheese spread and apply on the bread and bake. Wrap in silver foil to avoid messing up the pizza in the tiffin.
A chaat can be made out of boiled potatoes.

These are just some of the choices one has; there are a number of things one can do to make a child’s tiffin tasty and healthy all at the same time. Remember top keep it fresh and light so children can remain active through the day and yet be full.