Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by Lady’s Choice and was produced by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.

Meal prepping has been a hit. Some people dive into it to manage monthly family budgets, follow a stricter meal plan, or practice sustainability in the kitchen. Meanwhile, others treat it as a way to maximize a kitchen staple’s flexibility all week long, like Lady’s Choice Meaty Spreads — packed with real meat, farm-fresh eggs, plus Omega-3 (which can help support brain and heart health) and Omega-6 (for energy support) nutrients. It’s interesting how people have been more intentional with their relationship with food.

Meal prepping also has an unexpected target audience: school kids. Choosing and curating daily meals for children is important not only because they haven’t reached the independence for it, but also because more informed guardians should be able to monitor what they consume. But for a group stereotypically tagged as picky eaters, how exactly do you navigate the seemingly complicated process of meal prepping? Is it possible to inject variety while not wasting food — and making sure they actually get convinced to try meals that can power them up for the school day? 

Given the time and effort meal prepping involves, it can be costly to fail. This led us to asking experts themselves: busy moms with successful school baon preparation experiences.

If you’re a parent, sibling, or older relative hacking your way out of a child’s fickle taste buds and cravings, here’s a quick list of tips:

Brainstorm with kids

Dannah Munsayac, a 28-year-old flight attendant, considers her daughter Ellie her “best friend”. It comes off as obvious given the activities they do together, like baking cookies and cooking. This fun quality time even spills over to the school baon phase.

“What really worked for me is involving my daughter in the planning process by simply asking her what she’d like to have for recess and lunch. From there, I try to add something fun, like a little extra treat or a snack she enjoys,” she shares. “This way, there’s less food waste, and I know she’s actually eating and enjoying what I prepared. I’ve learned that being flexible, planning, and listening to your child’s preferences can really make meal prepping more fun and rewarding.”

While Dannah acknowledges how much meal prepping requires creativity and time, she consistently tries to incorporate it in her daily routine, seeing how far her act of love goes.

“I know how hard it can be to focus and learn on an empty stomach, and I don’t want her to experience that,” she says.

Immerse kids in the hands-on process

Collaboration has also been key for Fran Rivera — a 27-year-old brand experience officer — in whipping up school baon for her son Klein. Add up the fact that her son has also developed his own food preferences, making it easier for the admittedly hands-on mom to plan out and decide what works.

“As a single mom with a full-time job, I make it a priority to prepare his meals to be as healthy as possible while still keeping them simple and manageable,” she says. This collaborative practice not only exists in conversations, though, as she makes it a point to let her son explore the kitchen. 

“I also make sure he has a role in putting his baon together so he can learn and experience food preparation firsthand, which has turned into a wonderful bonding activity for us. I enjoy taking him on grocery trips as well because it sparks his curiosity and encourages him to ask questions. It has also become a fun way for us to spend time together while helping reduce his screen time,” she recounts.

Full involvement is also what drives the baon preparation of Justine Yupitun, a 35-year-old full-time mom. Her son Isaac Joaquin plays an active part.

“[I] make sure he comes home with an empty lunchbox and a full belly. My strategy has always been involvement. I always make it a point to include him in the whole process from buying groceries at the supermarket to packing the food in his lunchbox.”

She also gives him the liberty of choice, like choosing what fruit, sandwich filling, or bread he likes. “This way, he feels proud of his contribution, and at the same time, everything inside his lunchbox is approved by him.”

“Involving him in the actual preparation helps set my son’s mood for school. He looks forward to it every morning, and I can truly say he leaves the house happy each day because of this little routine we share,” Justine adds.

Focus on the ingredients

Speaking of grocery trips, another non-negotiable on Fran’s checklist is nutritious ingredients.

“Since it is something my son eats every day, I want to be certain that what I prepare for him is both healthy and fresh. I believe that the quality of his food plays a big role in his overall well-being, so I make it a priority to choose ingredients carefully and plan his meals with intention.”

In the grocery aisle, moms who are conscious about picking the right ingredients for their kids can add Lady’s Choice Meaty Spreads to their shopping list. Packed with real meat, farm-fresh eggs, plus Omega-3 and Omega-6 nutrients, these products can help kids be ready and focused before (and even after) the school day. To fully enjoy the benefits, a proper diet and exercise should be added to the equation.

Strike a balance between convenience and abundance

How kids Roar and Burrito always get excited to be asked about what baon they want is a testament to Bernadette Sison’s skills in the meal prepping department. “Para akong ‘sumakses’ when I see them happy with what I prepared for them,” quips the 36-year-old bank employee. 

But it’s thoughtful work behind the scenes. “I can’t deny that, though fulfilling, preparing their baon takes time. I also work in the morning, so I choose to give them baon that are conveniently prepared, but I am sure that they will eat,” she says.

Bernadette ensures her sons are always full: “For recess, I decide on the snacks. I usually give them ready-packed biscuits, sandwiches (most of the time with [luncheon meat] and spread), and yogurt drink. For lunch, they are free to choose as they only want ulam that are easy to eat, like nuggets, burger patties, hotdogs and [the] like. Their lunch [is] put in an insulated lunch box as I noticed they prefer to eat their food warm.”

The practice of flexibility and variety surprisingly matches not only her sons’ tastes, but also her own schedule. “I want them to feel that even though I am busy with my work, I can still attend to their personal needs,” she says.

Make it visually-enticing

If we’re being honest, even adults wouldn’t resist a lunchbox looking straight out of a fictional world. What has worked for Alezza Marie Iniego, a 35-year-old business architecture associate manager, when it comes to preparing baon for her daughter Lucille Isabelle is “setting it up like a bento” or a portable Japanese-style take-out with special separate compartments, more popularly known for its attractive arrangement and aesthetics.

“A mix of fruits and easy proteins like quail eggs that I put funny decorations on works best for us,” she claims. “Seeing her lunchbox almost empty sometimes and fully empty sometimes when she comes home pushes me to keep doing it. Her telling me she ate everything I prepared makes me happy.”

Treat meal prepping like an adventure — strategic but rewarding

For Christabelle Cruz — a 25-year-old content strategist and stay-at-home mom of two — meal prepping for her eight-year-old son Kanye holds deep meaning.

“It’s not just about packing food, it’s my way of taking care of him even when we’re not together during the day,” she says.

It’s a process that starts earlier than the school morning itself: “What works best for me is preparing everything the night before. I find it so much easier and less stressful in the morning. All I have to do is heat the food, pack it, and we’re good to go. It saves me a lot of time, especially on busy weekdays.”

She adds, “I definitely recommend prepping at night to other moms — even just chopping ingredients or portioning snacks ahead of time makes a big difference. It gives you more time in the morning and helps the day start on a calmer note!”

The best part? The journey doesn’t end with Kanye taking the last bite of his baon. “Sometimes I’ll sneak in a little note or a small treat,” Christabelle shares. “He always tells what he liked or if he shared something with his classmates, and those little conversations help us stay connected. It’s a small thing, but it’s made our bond even stronger.”

Prepare something convenient, quick, and nutritious

Confused about where to start or what kind of food to let your kids try first? If there’s anything that resonates with the baon-friendly tips these moms laid out — and is proven to be yummy, too — among your potential go-tos is Lady’s Choice Meaty Spreads.

Apart from real meat and farm-fresh eggs, what makes Lady’s Choice Meaty Spreads a must-have part of kids’ baon is the presence of Omega 3 & 6 nutrients. 

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Omega-3 helps in easing inflammation, contributing to brain function, and improving heart health, while Omega-6 can also be important in blood circulation and overall development. These nutrients can push kids to be more energized to conquer the school day. 

Whether the Lady’s Choice Meaty Spreads appear in a child’s breakfast before heading to school, recess time during exam week, or merienda after a high-intensity P.E. class, kids can achieve an #OmeglaSiglaEveryday life – as long as these healthy meals are paired with proper diet and exercise, too. — Rappler.com