How can families create healthy lunchboxes?

The Department of Health and Human Services Pick & Mix 1-6 poster provides a range of ideas and practical tips to inspire families to create healthy school lunchboxes.

The message is simple:

For a healthy lunchbox pick & mix, something from each group 1 - 6!

Pick and mix one tasty option from each of the food groups below to create a healthy lunchbox every day:

1. Fruit (e.g. fresh, frozen, pureed and canned in natural juice
    
2. Vegetables, legumes and beans
   Offer different types and colours
    
3. Milk, yoghurt, cheese and alternatives (e.g. soy, rice, oat and almond based products with at least 100mg of calcium per 100mL/g)
   Reduced fat options are best.
    
4. Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts* and seeds, and legumes/beans
   * If your school has a nut-free policy, peanut butter and other nuts should not be included in your child’s lunchbox.
    
5. Grain (cereal) foods (e.g. breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley)
   Wholegrain and/or high fibre varieties are best.
    
6. Plain water (e.g. tap, spring, mineral, soda and sparkling)
   Offer water as the drink of choice.

Click here or click the images to download your free copy of the Pick & Mix 1-6 poster. Why not keep it on your fridge as an easy reminder of healthy lunchbox ideas?