30/12/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | DEC 30, 2025

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School lunches that actually get eaten

o Simplifying meal prep maximises quality of life P ACKING school lunches that kids actually eat can feel repetitive, but most parents run into the same issues: tight mornings, picky preferences and food that loses its appeal by recess. There are even families that say their kids avoid canteen food because of long queues, limited choices or prices that add up. The same patterns can be seen in surveys of children’s eating habits across different countries: kids favour simple food, familiar flavours and items they can eat quickly. Additionally, packed meals help parents control portion sizes and reduce high-sugar or high-fat snacks that kids often buy at school. So, when it comes to nutrition the goal is not perfection, but rather a steady routine that kids accept. clear patterning, typically kids eat foods that do not get soggy and is easy to hold. Hence, the following are some options parents can rotate through: 0 Rice or noodles with one protein and one vegetable 0 Roti canai or wraps cut into smaller pieces 0 Tofu, hard-boiled eggs or rilled chicken strips 0 Fruit that does not brown quickly, such as oranges or grapes 0 Simple sandwiches with peanut butter, cheese or tuna 0 Yoghurt drinks packed in insulated bags Most children also respond better to smaller portions. A full adult-sized meal often comes home untouched because kids have limited eating time during recess. Ű BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR What kids actually finish Though there is no entertainment company behind Baby Shark , announced a partnership with Peppa Pig , the world-renowned preschool franchise from leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro. Marking Baby Shark ’s 10-year anniversary, the partnership brings together two iconic family entertainment IPs that have connected with kids and families around the world for years. The Baby Shark x Peppa Pig partnership announced worldwide last week, with the release of a music track Baby Shark x Peppa Pig (Dance Remix) across major music streaming platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify. An animated music video followed yesterday on YouTube and major social media platforms worldwide. The joint effort showcases the joyful spirit of both brands through music and creativity.

Packed lunches also allow parents to manage nutrient and portion control for their kids. – FREEPIKPIC

Food safety matters Food safety shapes what works. Parents are advised to keep cooked food out of the “danger zone” which lies between 5°C and 60°C for too long. Bacteria grows quickly in that range. You reduce the risk by cooling cooked food before packing it, adding ice packs for perishables and using insulated bags. More than dishes with sauces or mayonnaise – in our climate – dry food keeps better. Washing containers daily prevents odour buildup, while The released track blends Peppa Pig ’s theme song with Baby Shark ’s unmistakble “doo-doo-doo,” taking families on a lively underwater adventure full of friendship, music and fun. “We’ve celebrated Baby Shark ’s 10-year anniversary through a range of creative collaborations around the world, throughout this year. Closing out the year with Peppa Pig during the holiday season makes this partnership especially meaningful and we’re excited to share a fun, upbeat song that families can enjoy together,” said Pinkfong America CEO Bin Jeong. Building on a decade of love and support from families worldwide, Pinkfong Company will continue to expand Baby Shark ’s universe through new content, creative storytelling and international initiatives for years to come.

reuseable containers with tight seals help keep food separate and fresher in effect. As sweet drinks add unnecessary sugar and tend to leak more easily, parents prefer to send their kids to school with just a bottle of water. Why kids avoid canteen food Kids skip canteen meals for a variety of predictable reasons: 0 Long queues cut into recess time 0 Limited food options on some days 0 Preference for home-cooked flavours

before and use the same set of containers so you do not scramble for lids at 6am. Keep a short list of “always works” items so you do not need to plan from scratch every time. Kids eat what they recognise, so repeating favourites is okay. You can introduce new items slowly by pairing them with something they already like. Anyone does not need to be impressed by your packed lunches. When it comes to your kids, they only need to be safe, quick, easy to be prepared and eaten.

0 Younger kids struggle with crowds 0 Price-sensitive families limit daily spending None of this means canteen food is unsafe or low quality. It means the environment does not always fit how kids eat. A packed lunch solves this for numerous families. Making a workable routine When there are no complications to the routine followed, parents can stick to packing lunches. Cook extra dinner portions and pack them the next morning. Prep fruit the night

Baby Shark, Peppa Pig partnership features new mash-up sound track THE Pinkfong Company, the

Celebrating a decade of

Peppa Pig and Baby Shark .