Healthy Eating for Children

Lunches and snacks play an important role in supplying children with their daily nutrition needs.  Nearly half a child’s daily nutrition needs should be during the hours they are at school.  Good nutrition at school will help children:

• build healthy bodies and minds
• stay alert and focused in class
• fuel with the best foods for activity and play
• stay healthy and fight illness
• maintain a healthy weight.

Eating habits are formed early in life, so by packing a healthy lunchbox and being a good role model, you will send a positive and powerful message to your child.

Tips for Packing Healthy Lunches

• Aim to include at least one item from each of the five food groups in your child’s lunchbox:

– grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high fibre varieties

– lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans

– milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives, mostly reduced fat

– fruit

– vegetables and legumes/beans.

• Keep food easy to unwrap or peel.