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What parents feed their kids during load shedding

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(Photo: Gregorio Luiz Gomez/Unsplash)
(Photo: Gregorio Luiz Gomez/Unsplash)

As Eskom battles to settle on exactly what stage of load shedding we're actually in, Parent24 felt the need to the address two important questions: what's for supper and how we going to make it when the power is out? 

One of the biggest issues when dealing with load shedding is having to get your family fed with nutritional and filling food.

It's no simple feat when the power is out and your only source of light is a candle and a gas stove.

Perhaps we should be grateful that we don't have to constantly live in this state but it can be a huge inconvenience when you're used to having a hot stove at the flick of a switch.


Also see: 31 ways you can make load-shedding easier on your family


We took to Facebook and asked South African parents how they feed their kids when load shedding strikes.

Here are their replies: 

These moms like to keep it simple

  • Cheese and avo rolls - Sandra-Diana
  • Salad, sandwiches and rolls, but we really try to be prepared in advance as much as possible - Liza
  • Tuna wraps - Kerry-Anne
  • Cheese and tomato sandwiches or tuna sandwiches - Ronit
  • Pizza take out - Debbi

Gas happy moms 

  • Anything that I can think to cook up on my gas stove - Bianca
  • Warmed up soup (on a gas stove), cooked earlier - Sonia 

These moms are on other levels 

  • I always make sure the kettle is boiled before the power is switched off so, 2 Minute noodles, sarmies, or hot dogs  - Bronwen
  • I make sure dinner is done on time. But I've learned to keep some tins of tuna in the cupboard and hot dog viennas in the freezer! - Cathrine
  • I cook leftover mince and veggie jaffles on a gas cooker. Or breakfast jaffles with egg - @ObrienPatrish
  • I make the kids meals and then freeze them: chicken ala King, beef stew and mac and cheese. I also have a container of steamed veggies in the fridge which I make each beginning of the week: butternut, squash, baby marrow, sweet potato and carrots - Karen 
  • I have started making soup alongside other meals. I also cook double of everything I make (pasta and sauces which can be eaten cold). Roasted chicken pieces, tuna sandwiches are a staple. Cold corn is also a hit and of course viennas and things they can snack on - Tumi

Need more ideas?

If you're looking for more family-friendly eats that you can cook when the power is out, take a look at these recipes from Food24.

The savoury: 

5 awesome boerewors roll recipes

Braaied pizza

Garlic and coriander chicken kebabs

The sweet: 

Raw chocolate mousse

Banana and ham jaffles

Stay up to date of when and where load shedding will happen next with News24

How do you feed your kids during load shedding? (scroll down to add your response to the poll below)

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