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By:

Prekshaa Shah

27 June 2026 at 2:39:53 pm

The Smart Tiffin: Packing Better Nutrition for Schoolchildren

A tiffin box doesn't need to be elaborate. It simply needs to be intentional. Every morning across India, countless steel tiffin boxes are packed with love, care, and nourishing home-cooked food. For school-going children, a healthy lunch is about far more than filling an empty stomach. Growing bodies and developing minds need consistent, wholesome nutrition. They need protein to build muscle and strengthen immunity, fibre to support healthy digestion, and good fats, such as omega-3s, to aid...

The Smart Tiffin: Packing Better Nutrition for Schoolchildren

A tiffin box doesn't need to be elaborate. It simply needs to be intentional. Every morning across India, countless steel tiffin boxes are packed with love, care, and nourishing home-cooked food. For school-going children, a healthy lunch is about far more than filling an empty stomach. Growing bodies and developing minds need consistent, wholesome nutrition. They need protein to build muscle and strengthen immunity, fibre to support healthy digestion, and good fats, such as omega-3s, to aid brain development, concentration, and learning throughout the school day. A tiffin filled with processed, sugary, or deep-fried foods may be exciting for a few minutes. However, it often leaves children feeling tired, distracted, and hungry again before the school day is over. That is why many mothers are constantly looking for fresh recipes and creative ways to pack nutritious meals that children will actually enjoy eating. A balanced, whole-food lunch keeps energy levels steady and minds alert. It also strengthens immunity, helping children stay healthy through India's changing seasons. Packing a Balanced Tiffin A simple way to think about it is to divide the tiffin into four notional parts: two parts protein, one part fibre, and one part healthy fat. Two parts protein could include paneer, eggs, lentils, sprouts, chickpeas, or grilled chicken. Protein is the most under-served nutrient in our diets, and building half the tiffin around it supports growth and keeps hunger at bay until the next meal. One part fibre—whole grains, vegetables, or fruit—slows digestion and helps keep energy levels and mood stable throughout the day. One part of healthy fat is often the most neglected. A few almonds, a drizzle of ghee, avocado, or seeds provide the healthy fats and fat-soluble nutrients that growing brains need, without the inflammation associated with packaged, fried snacks. Tiffin Challenges Getting that fibre portion in, however, is easier said than done, as most children have strong opinions about vegetables. This is where clever, disguised cooking helps. Grating or blending carrots and beetroot into parathas works well. Bottle gourd can be added to dosa or pancake batter. Pumpkin or capsicum can be hidden in pasta sauce, while finely chopped vegetables can be stuffed into cutlets and momos. These simple tricks let children eat their fibre without even noticing it. The vegetables do not disappear. They are simply reintroduced in a form that is less likely to be met with a firm "No!" Of course, none of this is easy to execute on a weekday morning. There is often a school bus honking outside and a work call waiting. For working mothers—and increasingly, working parents—the tiffin box is often the single most stressful part of the day. Every morning begins with deciding what to cook. This is followed by sourcing the ingredients and hoping the child actually eats the meal. Together, these everyday decisions add up to real, cumulative anxiety. Smart Planning This is where planning quietly does the heavy lifting. A weekly menu—even a rough one stuck on the fridge—removes daily decision fatigue. Knowing that Monday is egg bhurji day and Thursday is paneer paratha day turns mornings into simple execution instead of last-minute improvisation. Pair it with a weekly grocery stock-up. Keep vegetables washed, eggs boiled, roasted chana ready, vegetables chopped, and herbs stored. This one habit can cut tiffin-related stress dramatically. Two more small habits round out a well-planned tiffin. For the short recess, seasonal fruits and light snacks work best. Chikoo in winter, watermelon in summer, and roasted makhana throughout the year are simple, healthy choices. For the longer lunch break, seasonal herbs quietly lift both flavour and nutrition. Coriander and mint are refreshing in summer, while ginger and ajwain work well during the monsoon and winter. These functional additions support digestion and strengthen immunity throughout the year. In the end, a tiffin box doesn't need to be elaborate. It simply needs to be intentional—rich in protein, with a little fibre and healthy fat; cleverly hidden where needed; planned a week ahead; and adapted to the season. That's a formula every working parent can hold on to, even on the busiest mornings. (The writer is a specialist in nutrition. Views personal.)

US Vice President JD Vance, his family arrive in Delhi

  • PTI
  • Apr 21, 2025
  • 2 min read


NEW DELHI: US Vice President J D Vance arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit to India against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two strategic partners to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel and a delegation of senior US government officials.


The US Vice President and the Second Lady were received at the Palam air base by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.


The American leader was also accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival.

In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for the Vances after holding wide-ranging talks with the US Vice President.


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian ambassador to US Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team to be led by PM Modi at the talks.


The focus of the meeting is likely to be on early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact as well as ways to boost overall trajectory of ties between the two countries.


Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra.

Vance's first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.


New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance and his family are scheduled to leave for Jaipur on Monday night.

In Delhi, the US Vice President and his family are staying at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel.


On April 22, the Vances will visit a number of historical sites in Jaipur, including the Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.


In the afternoon, the US Vice President is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur.


Vance is expected to delved into broader aspects of India-US relations under the Donald Trump administration during his speech that is expected to be attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, Indian government officials and academia.


The US Vice President and his family will travel to Agra on the morning of April 23, people familiar with the matter said.


In Agra, they will visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram which is an open air emporium showcasing various Indian artefacts, they said.


After concluding their visit to Agra, the Vances will return to Jaipur on the second half of April 23.


The US Vice President and his family will depart for the US from Jaipur on April 24, according to the people cited above.

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