Simple Steps In Packing A Healthy Lunchbox

The trepidation of preparing kids school lunchboxes is not uncommon among parents. There is the feeling that we need to create a healthy lunchbox, offer variety and of course exclude any items on the schools banned list of allergen products.

Not only is the challenge something that many parents find monotonous but it also takes valuable time that many parents simply don’t have.

What parents must remember when approaching the monotonous task of school lunches is that it really is important. The content of the kids lunchbox fuels not only their bodies but also contributes to how alert and active their minds are throughout the day.

The quality of the food you feed your kids has a direct impact on how much their body benefits. Whilst our main meals are important, don’t underestimate the importance of also giving kids high quality snacks for morning and afternoon tea, ensuring that they have the fuel to maintain their physical and emotional status quo throughout the day.

Here are some suggestions for how you can improve your kids lunchboxes:

Get back to basics – Cut out as much processed and pre-packaged food as you can. We should feed our children as much REAL food as possible. This means no preservatives, no colouring and lots of whole foods
Include food from the 5 food groups every day. Ideally you should also include a variety of foods within these 5 food groups
Make your fruit and vegetables colourful. An array of colours will ensure there is also a range of vitamins and minerals
Get your kids involved. Talk to your children about the benefits of good food and the negatives of ‘bad or unhealthy’ food. The more they understand the more likely they are to care about what they eat
Eat seasonal. Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season, offering the freshest most vitamin packed product you can.
Cut it, grate it, dice it. Offer the same food in a variety of forms. Fruit and vegetables can be served whole, cut up, grated, diced… just to name a few
Get a small ice pack suitable to include in the lunchbox to keep the lunch cool – particularly when cheese, yoghurt and milk is included
Send a drink bottle. Water is by far the best drink for kids, it is also important that kids drink regularly throughout the day.

By Caryn Kave, Funch dietician.

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179 Comments

- - mom112217 said
  - 10 Aug 2016
    9:17 am
Very useful tips for the lunchbox,getting back to basics is important!

- - Melissa89 said
  - 27 Jul 2016
    1:19 pm
I try to add fun and colour

- - mom109229 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    10:35 pm
This was an interesting mini article. Thanks for posting!

- - mom94125 said
  - 03 Jan 2015
    5:37 pm
i always like to try to include those yummy and healthy options

- - mom72550 said
  - 29 Oct 2014
    9:43 am
What great ideas for healthy lunches – I needed these.
- mom94125 replied
  
  19 Oct 2015 , 6:30 pm
  yes i am trying to eat much more healthier for sure.
- - deborah_osborne said
  - 03 Oct 2014
    3:58 pm
Excellent ideas back to basics ,never hurt us .

- - fizgig said
  - 28 Sep 2014
    5:48 pm
I am lucky as the kids are happy having the same thing every day. Makes the sandwiches, fruit and homemade cakes easy!

- - smart_ass said
  - 18 Aug 2014
    12:17 pm
loving the tips

- - mom61924 said
  - 03 Aug 2014
    11:24 pm
Yes so much junk around for snacks these days

- - Cynthea Jenke said
  - 16 Jul 2014
    11:35 pm
Do not forget a little note every now and then with a comment. I love you.
- mom56842 replied
  
  01 Aug 2014 , 12:59 am
  I always loved putting a little message in.
  - ginoula5 replied
    
    13 Aug 2014 , 12:39 pm
    
    I do the same, kids love it
- - rachkap said
  - 15 Jul 2014
    1:54 am
Great tips thank you for sharing!

- - deangunna said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    11:24 pm
great idea but my children through it out at school or just don’t eat it. I have tried and tried but the food is not eaten and money just wasted. We now try 50/50 eating, with good results.

- - cherz said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    4:38 pm
Checked out the funch web site, am I mistaken or was there only snack bar mix and power ball mix to chose from?

- - pakeko said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    2:12 pm
The best thing I could have ever done with the lunch boxes it get the kids to pack (with help) what they wanted to eat. We sat down wrote lists (school holidays are great for this). Listed healthy and treat food, off they went and still pack their own boxes

- - meedee said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    2:07 pm
I really hated having to pack lunchboxes for three kids that all liked different things. Im so glad thats done and dusted for me now.

- - mom57808 said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    1:06 pm
MY GRAND CHILDREN LOVE WRAPS WITH FRESH ROASTED CHICKEN , TOMATO ,CHEESE AND CUCUMBER, OH AND NEVER FORGET THE HOMEMADE MAYO…. LUNCH BOXES ALWAYS COME BACK EMPTY

- - cairnsbliss said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    12:36 pm
Its easy to get into the same old lunchbox rut especially when your in a rush in the morning. Spend some time the night before preparing this doesnt always have to mean soggy sandwiches but maybe make some sushi or pack leftovers. My son who is at school is a great eater and I can pack just about anything for him….my daughter, who is only in Kindy is another matter completely. Hopefully over time I can change her eating habits.

- - mom61924 said
  - 28 Jun 2014
    12:44 am
Love these ideas, my kids love to help out with their lunches too

- - scottie said
  - 29 May 2014
    4:37 pm
I just love how much colour you get from healthy foods – bright red apples, purple grapes, oranges, light green lettuce, pink hams. They used to say the more colours on your plate the healthier the meal.

- - no1ladydj said
  - 22 May 2014
    6:24 pm
It doesn’t have to be expensive or hard work to pack tasty and healthy lunchboxes that will actually get eaten. Lots of good ideas here, and lots of common sense. Can also be used for work lunchboxes for the adults.