Easy tips for a healthy lunchbox

There are many resources available if you're looking for easy, fun and efficient lunchbox recipes for the kids. Here are some of our favourites, but please tell us if you find others that should be included here!

First some fun for you and your family. Check out this interactive lunchbox!

How to pack a lunchbox 101

A film from our friends at Nutrition Australia, which looks at  the kinds of foods that should feature in a lunchbox. It's a great teaching resource or something that your kids may want to see!

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Health Lunch Meal Planners

For those of you who like to (or have time to!) plan, here are some free planners -

• Fresh for Kids have a 5 Day Healthy Lunch Meal Plan.
• Bianca from 'a little delightful' has created her own planner, which may also work for those of you who use childcare services.
• One the kids can fill in at the Great Grub Club.
• 3 week plans (including a vegetarian option) from the Schools Food Trust in the UK.

Healthy lunch recipes

For snack and lunch time treats, here are some ideas for you to consider!

Fresh for Kids recipe booklet (the first of three editions).

Lunch Right from Cancer Council WA (which includes age appropriate suggestions and traffic light labels).

Lunch box options from the NSW Government.

The Women and Children's Network have a child friendly section of recipes

We were intrigued by the banana sushi suggestion from the Let's Move campaign led by First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Tooty Fruity Vegie program

Other useful resources -

• The Healthy Kids Association has a portion size guide.
• The University of California has produced a lunch guide for the parents of 2-3 year olds.