Current Edition

January 28, 2009

Need some healthy lunchbox ideas?

It’s back-to-school time, which means back to making those school lunches – but packing healthy fare needn’t be as difficult as you may think.

“The number one tip for parents is to keep the school lunches interesting!” says Chris Browne from ‘Go for your life’.

“Try making small changes to your daily lunchbox routine. For example, grab some large cookie cutters and cut your children’s sandwiches into fun shapes, cut fruit into bite size pieces, or make a fruit salad rather than including a whole piece of fruit.”

He says allowing children to choose from a selection of healthy options will encourage them to eat their lunch, as opposed to bringing it back home, swapping it with other children – or simply binning it at school.

“The more involved children are, the more ownership they will take over their lunch.

“If possible, try growing some vegetables at home like alfalfa, tomatoes or lettuce and include these in your children’s lunch.”

Mr Browne says parents should include interesting and tasty foods that will give their child the energy to get through a busy school day.

“The six main ingredients for a healthy lunchbox are vegetables, fresh fruit, dairy such as low-fat cheese or yoghurt, some protein such as a hard-boiled egg, some wholegrain bread and plenty of water,” he says.

“Chop up vegetables like carrot and celery for a quick, easy snack, a salad sandwich with wholegrain bread and a slice of cheese, or wholegrain crackers with a low-fat dip.”

For more healthy lunchbox ideas, see: Go For Your Life website (http://www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/)