Packing a healthy lunchbox is important for good health, wellbeing, and learning.

A healthy lunchbox will aide your child's growth and development now, and sets up healthy habits and choices that your child can maintain as they grow older. The future, long term effects of healthy food choices include maintaining a healthy body and preventing lifestyle related diseases.

When packing a healthy lunchbox, it is important to include foods from all five food groups as recommended by 'The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating'. The five food groups are; breads and cereals, dairy, fruit, meat and alternatives and vegetables.

Packing your child's lunchbox is a great time to have them help and be involved in the process. Visit https://healthylunchbox.com.au/builder/ with your child as a fun activity to discover fun and healthy lunchbox ideas.

Healthy Snacks

When packing your child's lunchbox, it's important to include some snack foods with their main meal (lunch). Snacks are important for a child as they have small stomachs and may need multiple snacks throughout the day, between main meals to meet their energy needs and growth.

When picking snacks, it is important to ensure they're healthy and avoid packing 'sometimes' foods as a treat. Snacks should be made from the five food groups mentioned above.

Examples of healthy snacks to include in your child's lunchbox:

• Fresh Fruit
• Dip and cut up vegetable sticks
• Air popped popcorn
• Boiled egg
• Cheese and biscuits
• Rice crackers
• Vegetable muffin
• Fruit bread
• Yoghurt