Providing your child with nutritious, filling lunch options while sticking to a budget can be challenging, especially when you’re relying on a SASSA grant. However, it’s possible to prepare hearty, South African-inspired meals for your child without exceeding R500 for the month.
Here are some simple and affordable lunch box ideas tailored to a South African diet, focusing on locally available ingredients that are budget-friendly.
Top 10 Lunch Box Ideas that are Budget Friendly
1. Homemade Potato Chips with Russian or Polony
Homemade potato chips are a fun and crunchy snack that is easy to prepare. Simply slice potatoes thinly, fry them in oil, and season with salt. Pair them with sliced Russian or polony for protein.
Cost breakdown:
- Potatoes: R20 for 2 kg
- Russian or Polony: R30 for 500g
- Oil and seasoning: R10
Total per week (for 5 meals): Approx. R30
2. Toasted Cheese and Polony Sandwich
A simple toasted cheese and polony sandwich is always a hit. Use affordable white or brown bread, add cheese slices, and polony, then toast it in a pan for a crispy, flavorful meal.
Cost breakdown:
- Bread: R20 for a loaf (can make 5 sandwiches)
- Cheese: R20 for a small block
- Polony: R20 for 500g
Total per week (for 5 sandwiches): Approx. R30
3. Homemade Pies (or Store-Bought)
Homemade pies are a great lunch box idea and can be made using pastry dough, filling them with mince, chicken, or vegetables. You can also buy frozen pies from the store as a more convenient option.
Cost breakdown:
- Store-bought frozen pies: R30 for a pack of 4
- Homemade pie ingredients (flour, mince, seasoning): R30
Total per week (for 5 pies): Approx. R35
4. Hot Dog with Tomato Sauce and Relish
Hot dogs are an easy and affordable lunch option that doesn’t need heating. Simply pack a hot dog roll with a sausage, a drizzle of tomato sauce, and some relish or mustard for flavor.
Cost breakdown:
- Hot dog rolls: R15 for a pack of 6
- Sausages: R25 for 500g (4-5 sausages)
- Tomato sauce and relish: R15
Total per week (for 5 hot dogs): Approx. R25
5. Mini Muffins with Cheese and Ham
Mini muffins make for an easy, on-the-go lunch box snack. You can make savory muffins by adding cheese and ham to the batter, or purchase pre-made mini muffins from the store. These are easy to pack and don’t require heating.
Cost breakdown:
- Self-raising flour: R10 for 1 kg
- Cheese: R20 for a small block
- Ham: R20 for 200g
Total per week (for 5 mini muffins): Approx. R30
6. Polony and Cheese Wraps
Polony and cheese wrapped in a soft tortilla or flatbread is a quick, no-heat lunch option. The wrap is easy to prepare and can be packed in your child’s lunch box for a satisfying, no-fuss meal.
Cost breakdown:
- Tortillas or flatbread: R15 for a pack of 8
- Polony: R20 for 500g
- Cheese: R20 for a small block
Total per week (for 5 wraps): Approx. R30
7. Homemade Pizza
Homemade pizza is a fun and budget-friendly lunch option that doesn’t require heating. You can use a simple flatbread or tortilla as the base, add a little tomato sauce, cheese, and any other toppings your child enjoys (like ham or vegetables). Simply assemble the pizza and pack it for lunch!
Cost breakdown:
- Flatbread or tortillas: R15 for a pack of 8
- Tomato sauce: R10 for a bottle
- Cheese: R20 for a small block
- Toppings (ham, mushrooms, etc.): R20
Total per week (for 5 pizzas): Approx. R30
8. Bread with Jam and Peanut Butter
A classic, budget-friendly lunch idea is a simple sandwich with peanut butter and jam. It’s easy to prepare and provides a good mix of protein and carbohydrates.
Cost breakdown:
- Bread: R20 for a loaf (can make 5 sandwiches)
- Peanut butter: R20 for a small jar
- Jam: R15 for a small jar
Total per week (for 5 sandwiches): Approx. R30
9. Chicken Nuggets or Strips
Chicken nuggets or strips are always a favorite among kids and easy to pack. You can buy store-bought frozen chicken nuggets or strips, or make your own using chicken fillets, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. Serve with a small side of dipping sauce for added flavor.
Cost breakdown:
- Frozen chicken nuggets/strips: R40 for 500g
- Homemade (chicken fillets, breadcrumbs): R35 for 500g of chicken fillets and breadcrumbs
- Dipping sauce (optional): R10
Total per week (for 5 servings): Approx. R40
10. Mini Chicken Wraps
For a quick, tasty lunch, make mini chicken wraps using leftover cooked chicken or buy small chicken strips. Pair with some veggies like lettuce or cucumber and a simple dressing for a fresh wrap.
Cost breakdown:
- Tortillas or wraps: R15 for a pack of 8
- Chicken strips or cooked chicken: R35 for 500g
- Lettuce or cucumber: R10
Total per week (for 5 wraps): Approx. R35
See More: Back To School: Creative Lunchbox Ideas For Kids
Weekly Budget Breakdown:
These lunch box ideas will help you stay within the R500 budget:
| Item | Estimated Cost (R) |
|---|---|
| Bread | 20 |
| Russian or Polony | 30 |
| Cheese | 40 |
| Hot dog rolls | 15 |
| Sausages | 25 |
| Flour, muffin ingredients | 30 |
| Tortillas or flatbread | 15 |
| Chicken nuggets/strips |
Total per week: Approx. R380
Tips for Sticking to the Budget:
- Shop smart: Look for specials on bulk items like bread, cheese, and sausages.
- Use leftovers: Repurpose leftover cooked chicken or sausages into wraps or sandwiches.
- Buy in bulk: Items like flour, rice, and canned beans are often cheaper in larger quantities.
Related: Double Your Grant This January with Boxer – Here’s How to Enter!
With these affordable, no-heat lunch box ideas, your child will have filling, tasty meals throughout the week, and you’ll easily stay within your R500 monthly budget.
