Lunchbox anxiety is a reality for the parents of picky eaters. The routine of making lunch, which stays untouched at home, or the struggle with one of the mixed meals, which is the starting point of a meltdown, can be tiring. This is not always about stubbornness, but a natural, usually not considered, sensory hypochondriac: the fear of touching food.
The flavors, colors, and textures combined on a plate may be excessive. Introduce the solution that will change the game: the deconstructed, bento-style lunch. It is more than just a fad; it is a mighty device to gain confidence and broaden palates one compartment at a time. If you want to buy a fruit and vegetable cutter online, multiple options are available. Having a safety knife is always beneficial.
The benefits of such a method go well beyond being able to take a few additional bites.
The children are able to select the sequence in which they consume things, making them feel in control of what they eat. Such independence is critical to establishing a favorable rapport with food.
Boldly colored compartments with an assortment of colors and shapes are more inviting in nature. You will tend to prefer a red pepper stick that appears crispy and distinct, and not mushy and combined.
The children will explore in a safer environment, as they do not have the fear of contamination. They may self-direct their actions and insert a carrot into hummus, or an act of mixing flavors.
Compartments will automatically help one take smaller portions of a broader selection of food, giving the diner an experience of various nutrients and textures without overloading the digestive system.
Imagine yourself as a lunchtime artist, not a short-order cook. It is not about perfection but diversity and attractiveness.
It is not really about nurturing a taste, the deconstructed lunch, but about respecting a sense of need to create a bridge to eating more healthily, more adventurously. You eliminate the fear aspect by giving order and choice, and you make the lunchbox a toolkit to be explored rather than a battlefield. To the picky eater, it is a secure place to study.
To the parent, it is a plan that involves the parent exchanging the day’s stress with the pleasant sound of an empty container bringing the parent home. It is just that sometimes the key to success is just giving food a bit of space.