Healthy life styles:
How to promote this at lunch time?
Read this and be informed- information taken from Heart Foundation handout.
It is important to load up your child’s lunchbox with tasty food that is both healthy and appealing.
Where to start/Te Timatanga
Involve your child in decision making. Plan together the ‘top ten sandwich fillings’ and place them on the fridge.
Set a good example. If appropriate prepare your healthy lunchbox at the same time and stock the shelves with foods that make for healthy, hearty lunches.
Lunch is an important part of your child’s daily diet. Choose at least one item from each of the four main food groups: Breads and Cereals, Fruit and Vegetables, Dairy Products and Meat and Alternatives.
Top Tips/Kai Pai
- Large pieces of fruit or vegetables can often be overwhelming. Cut into small bite size pieces or choose smaller fruits.
- Vary the shape of sandwiches such as into triangles.
- Left overs can be used but do make them attractive such as in a bread roll or with a dip like natural yoghurt.
- Prepare foods such as muffins or cheese toasties and freeze in readiness.
- Store a range of different breads in the freezer (such as: pita, rolls, muffin splits), this reduces boredom and they defrost by morning tea.
- Experiment with home baking, reduce butter/oil and sugar; use alternatives such as unsweetened yogurt, natural juices.
- If your child is not a sandwich eater try alternatives such as: sushi, tuna salad, corn thins.
Happy healthy food times. Read some additional information, again taken from Heart Award Information HEHA.
Additional information linked to this page.