A good helping of fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruit is easy to pack. You can also try a tub of canned fruit or chopped fresh strawberries, pineapple or melon. Raw vegies such as carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber or capsicum strips are popular as a snack or in a sandwich.
Starchy food
like bread, rice, potatoes and pasta. Have a variety to choose from such as wholegrain, wholemeal or high fibre breads such as seeded rolls, Lebanese bread, pita, lavash, bagels; brown and white rice; or tricolour pasta.
Lean protein
like tuna or salmon (fresh or canned in spring water or oils such as canola, sunflower or olive oil); boiled eggs; beans; or lean meat such as beef or chicken.
Reduced fat dairy food
like reduced fat yoghurt, reduced fat cheese or reduced fat milk (remember to pack with a bottle of ice).
A bottle of water
to keep your child hydrated all day. Freeze on hot days to keep the lunch box (and your child) nice and cool.
Healthy choices
look at food labels to help you choose the products that are lowest in saturated fat, total fat, sugar and salt. Avoid high fat spreads and try a little avocado, low fat mayonnaise, mustard or ricotta cheese instead.
Nutritious snacks
such as a small box or bag of dried fruit, rice cakes or unsalted and unsweetened popcorn.
And remember: Treats like chocolate or chips should only be included occasionally, not every day.
The content for this article is originally from Healthy Kids.