Good food habits set early in childhood can last a lifetime. Lunches provide around one third of our daily nutritional needs, so it’s important to put some thought and planning into them. Here are some tips on how to prepare a healthy lunchbox.

Seven steps to creating healthy, varied and interesting lunchboxes

Include a wide variety of foods – starchy foods, protein, dairy, and fruit and vegetables

Try to offer different foods every day – no one wants to be eating a ham sandwich five days a week!

Vary the types of bread e.g. pitta bread, bagels, wholemeal rolls – keep a stock in the freezer

Cook extra rice/pasta in the evening – these can make interesting salads

Theme your lunchbox on a different country, e.g. Italian – try a pasta salad, Mexican fill flour tortillas

Home-made soup (in a Thermos flask) is great for cold days, while salads are light and refreshing for warmer weather. Both are packed with essential vitamins and minerals

Fluids are important for children – up to 6 cups of fluid should be encouraged daily. Milk and water are the best options. Straws and brightly coloured drinks bottles can make rehydrating more interesting!

All children have received a leaflet with more information on Healthy Lunchboxes.  This leaflet can also be downloaded here.