With school holidays having come to an end and the new school year away, parents find themselves facing the back-to-school hustle. It’s a busy time of year, and getting back into a routine can be tricky – the added pressure of packing a healthy lunch box doesn’t make it any easier!
Your child’s lunchbox contains 1/3 of their daily food and provides them with the fuel and brain food needed for the day. After all, kids go to school to learn; they learn to read and write, and they learn maths and geography, BUT it’s also important they learn and develop healthy eating practices that will aid them in the future. Fear not; we’ve compiled simple yet effective tips to make packing a healthy lunchbox a breeze!
Top Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunchbox
- Try to include a variety of foods from the five main food groups – fruit, vegetables, dairy, lean protein and whole grains.
- Aim for at least one serving of fruit and one serving of vegetables.
- Avoid processed packaged foods like chips, lollies, biscuits and shapes. Save these for special occasions.
- Include a water bottle and an ice-brick to keep foods cool and fresh.
- Pack lunches the night before to save time on those busy mornings.
- Focus on a main lunchbox item, ideally one that contains whole grains and lean protein.
Our Kid (& Dietitian) Approved Lunchbox Ideas
- Egg and lettuce sandwich, an apple, carrot sticks and a yogurt tub
- Mini pizzas, fruit salad and a boiled egg
- Cheese and crackers, strawberries, fruit bread and vegetable sticks
- Avocado and cream cheese on rice crackers with cherry tomatoes, banana and popcorn
- Zucchini slice with salad, a mandarin and a boiled egg
- Vegemite sandwich, cheese sticks, grapes, carrot and celery sticks
- Mini quiches, an apple, yogurt tub and vegetable muffin
- Chicken/tuna wrap, snow peas, an apple and a vegetable muffin
- Leftover meatballs or tuna patties, fruit salad and a yogurt tub
- Vegetable pasta, fresh fruit, cheese sticks and popcorn
- Peanut butter sandwich, muesli cookies, cucumber and grapes
Fussy Eaters? Combat this by getting them involved in picking and packing. Make it fun and colourful, and let them choose a cool new lunchbox (or get creative by decorating their current one). Make sure it has compartments to keep their food from getting squashed!
Remember, packing a healthy lunchbox is an art, not a chore. Incorporate these tips to transform the school lunch routine into a colourful and exciting adventure. Add variety to keep your kids and their taste buds happy – unleash your creativity and make lunchtime a highlight of the school day.
Want to learn more? Book with one of our accredited dietitians here