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Packing a healthy lunch box for child care, preschool and school

Buy healthy food.

When you’re food shopping, buy enough healthy foods to make your child’s lunches for the week. This makes it easier to come up with healthy lunch ideas each day.

Let your child choose his healthy lunch box food.

Let your child choose his own healthy lunch box food. He’s more likely to eat food he’s chosen himself. Packing the night before gives him time to choose carefully.

Include food from the main food groups.

Include foods from each of the five food groups in your child’s lunch box. This gives your child the energy and nutrients he needs to grow, learn, play and stay healthy.

Colourful, environmentally friendly and healthy lunch box ideas

A 'rainbow' lunch box offers different nutrients.

Aim for a ‘rainbow’ of different-coloured fruits and vegetables in your child’s lunch box. This gives your child more chances to get all the nutrients she needs.

cut down on plastic packaging.

Pack fresh foods with minimal packaging. Try reusable containers, pockets and wraps. They’re better for the environment, healthier and easier for kids to handle.

Tap water in a water bottle is the best drink.

Tap water is the best drink for your child. Send a refillable water bottle with your child each day. Avoid sugary drinks like fruit juice, soft drinks and flavoured milk.

Safe, interesting and healthy lunch box ideas

Keep the lunch box clean and safe.

Keep food cold until you pack it. Add a frozen water bottle or use an insulated lunch bag to keep food cool. Check whether allergy-causing foods should stay at home.

Choose everyday foods.

Try different options, like sushi, salads, pasta and noodles. Different sandwich fillings can keep your child interested too. Check out more tasty and healthy lunch ideas.

Avoid 'sometimes' foods at lunch.

Avoid packing ‘sometimes’ foods – like chips, muesli bars, biscuits and chocolate. These foods are unhealthy. They’re high in saturated fats, sugar and salt.

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