Keeping your kids well hydrated is vital for their health and long-term development, but
it can be difficult to monitor their intake when they’re at school. Their school lunch
boxes are a great way for you to provide your children with the hydration they need.
However, soft drinks tend to be packed with sugar and e-numbers and water can
become boring overtime. Water makes up more than half of a child’s body, so it’s
important they have a healthy consumption. To maintain their energy and limit fatigue, they need to have enough hydration during the day, especially during the lunchtime refuel. The experts at Radnor Splash have shared their tips to help kids become excited about staying hydrated.
1) Make smoothies
Helping kids to eat fruit and vegetables can be hard, especially daily. If your child is
struggling to eat their 5 a day, you can add hydrating smoothies into their packed lunch.
A great recipe is the berry buster; blend 1 cup mixed frozen berries, 1 medium banana,
1 cup reduced-fat milk, ½ cup reduced-fat strawberry yogurt. This makes two small
smoothies which can be placed in a smaller water bottles or chilled thermos containers.
2) Get kids involved
Keep your kids involved in the lunchbox process to build up their excitement for
lunchtime. Take them along on the food shop and allow them to choose their favourite
fruits for infusions or flavoured water. Having your child involved in choosing,
preparing, and packing their lunchbox will encourage them to finish the items and make
the process feel less like a chore.
3) Milk
Milk is a great alternative to put into your child’s water bottle but ensure the school
knows to store it in the fridge. Milk contains healthy fats and vital nutrients like calcium
and vitamin D that children need to grow strong.
4) Fun water bottles
Having fun water bottles will excite your child and make them more inclined to finish
their drinks. Let your child pick their own drinking cups or travel bottles in their
favourite colours or involving famous characters. Try different tactics throughout the
term to keep the consumption exciting, from bendy straws to ice cubes in fun shapes,
something new will maintain their interest.
5) Fruit infused drinks
Infused water is a great alternative to high sugar squash or any syrups. They contain
easily release more natural flavours to give the water a fresh taste. The small bags can
be added to water from any source, meaning your child will taste the full flavours of the
infusion bags throughout the whole day. You can also infuse fruit into their water, either
freeze berries into ice cubes or infuse water with fresh lemon, mint, watermelon, or
oranges.
6) Flavoured drinks
Flavoured drinks are great options if you’re on the go but want your child to try
something different in their lunch box. Opt for sugar-free fruity flavours, Radnor Splash
have a school approved selection of six flavours. Orange and passionfruit, apple and
raspberry, lemon and lime, and strawberry and peach. Each creation is bold, punchy
and contains all-natural flavourings.
7) Water rich fruits
Besides water or water-based beverages, there are many fruits which help to keep your
child hydrated and provide them with essential nutrients. Cucumbers have 96% water
content alongside being a rich source of fibre and minerals. Either add cucumber sticks
in a salad or as a snack. Pineapple has 87% water content, it’s a rich source of betacarotene and helps to keep your child’s digestive system healthy. Try pineapple chunks on sticks or pineapple rings.