Keeping food simple during the holidays
The school holidays can be a nice break from routine, but they can also be chaotic, messy and full of snack requests. As parents, we want to enjoy the time with our kids but the constant “I’m hungry” and “what’s for lunch?” can be exhausting!
School holiday food doesn’t have to be perfect, but regular, satisfying meals and snacks help calm kids’ nervous systems and support your own energy too.
Here are some simple ways to take the pressure off during the holidays and make meals work for your family.
Rethink the idea of a “proper” meal
Holidays often throw off the usual rhythm. Meal times shift, days blend together and many of us are trying to juggle work with the kids being home.
You don’t need to cook from scratch every day, but simple homemade options can help avoid the highs and lows that come with ultra-processed foods.
For quick and easy lunches, try things like:
A lunchbox-style plate with chopped fruit, crackers, cheese and carrot sticks
A picnic in the backyard with boiled eggs, sandwiches and popcorn
Toast with tuna and avocado, hummus and grated carrot or peanut butter with banana slices
It’s ok to keep things super simple when it comes to dinner too.
Some easy meals:
Chicken and cheese toasties with veggie sticks
Leftovers with a fried egg on top
Tuna or salmon pasta using frozen peas and corn
Make-your-own wraps or tacos
Store-bought BBQ chicken with salad and rice
Try to keep some structure in your day
Rather than strict meal times, aim for a relaxed routine that gives some shape to the day. This helps reduce constant grazing and the mid-afternoon energy crashes that often lead to meltdowns.
For example:
Breakfast: within an hour of waking
Snack: mid-morning, something with protein and carbs
Lunch: midday-ish, bonus points for eating outdoors
Afternoon snack: helps keep them going until dinner, especially after a big play outside
Dinner: something simple and satisfying
Optional supper: yogurt, toast or dinner leftovers
Prep a few staples
You do not need to meal prep for the whole week. But taking 30 minutes at the start of the holidays to prep a few staples can save you a lot of stress.
Some ideas:
Boil a dozen eggs
Bake a batch of muffins or a healthy slice
Chop veggie sticks and store them in water
Make some bliss balls or trail mix
Cook a double portion of pasta or rice to use across a few meals
This gives you a solid base to build from. It also makes it easier for kids to help themselves or assemble their own meals (with guidance, if needed).
Keep snacks satisfying
Endless snacking is one of the biggest holiday food stressors. You do not have to eliminate snacks, but I highly recommend making sure they are filling and calming.
Think protein plus carbs:
Apple slices with nut butter
Cheese and crackers
Boiled egg and a piece of fruit
Hummus with Lebanese bread and cucumber
Yoghurt with seeds and berries
These snacks support blood sugar, reduce the chance of tantrums and help you avoid the constant “I’m hungry” loop.
Get kids involved
Getting kids involved in food choices helps them feel more in control and often more willing to eat what is served. It’s also a good opportunity to connect with your children and build their cooking skills and confidence.
Try these small steps:
Let them choose between two lunch options
Ask them to help pack a picnic lunch
Create a snack basket they can choose from each day
Give them a job like mixing, chopping soft fruit and vegetables or setting the table
Don’t forget yourself
In the middle of feeding everyone else, it is easy to forget your own needs. But your nervous system needs just as much support as theirs.
Make sure you:
Eat something every 4 hours
Sit down for at least one meal a day
Keep your water bottle full and nearby
Avoid running on caffeine and adrenaline!
The goal in the school holidays is not perfect food. Aim for simple meals. filling snacks and a consistent (but flexible) routine.
And if it doesn’t all go to plan? Try not to be hard on yourself. What you’re doing is enough 💛