Healthy Lunch Boxes

 Just a reminder that Healthy Lunch boxes are important. No nuts or nut products and no small hard choking hazards(no sultanas or other very small things that could get stuck in a child's throat). Also no cakes or lollies of any kind. In Family day care we must promote healthy eating for the wellbeing of our wonderful children. If you click on the photos above you will see some wonderful lunch ideas.

1. No Nuts or nut products are to be brought in to family day care as we do have some children with very real allergies.

2. Minimise waste packaging where possible... plastic packaging etc. As we are trying very hard to remain a sustainable service , minimising waste is one way we can help. Naked foods are good. Bento style boxes are created for this (Big W and Kmart have some good ones)There are many lunch boxes catered to this. Where possible please use reusable packaging.

3 .Choking hazards.. In food for toddlers this is a real issue. Please do not send sultanas and similar as they are both a choking hazard and full of concentrated sugar. Grapes and similar sized round foods need to be cut in half or quartered to prevent choking. Make sure the food you send is not too hard for your child's new baby teeth. Carrot sticks should be cooked for under 2s. Biscuits must not be too hard so they become a choking hazard. (wholegrain bread is always a better alternative to hard crackers for toddlers anyway). You get the drift. the food needs to be prepared right for the age of your child.

4. Under early childhood guidelines the foods in the childcare setting must be nutritious and balanced. Provide a little something from each food group. Making sure that you are sending foods that you know your child will actually eat. Fresh fruit, vegetables(cooked or raw like salad) cold meat, cheese, pasta dishes, eggs, rice dishes, healthy sandwiches...(no jam or nut spreads please) , even most left over dinners are fine too. Think of what healthy foods you might offer them, if you took them on a picnic. Making sure there is enough for lunch and two snacks (a good idea is to pack snacks in a separate container).

5. No sweets, lollies, chocolates, cakes, highly processed or junk foods. No crackers with a large amount of salt and spices. These sometimes foods are not needed and not nutritious at all. They will be sent home uneaten.

6. I will provide a water bottle for ach child so you don't need to send a drink bottle. The exception is of course young babies who will have their mothers milk or formula as supplied by the parent.

I have attached several photos of healthy lunch boxes for inspiration. Feel free to ask me any questions. Also below is several links about healthy lunchboxes and some even have some cool recipes for home made snacks like muesli slices, and lunch alternatives.

https://babyfoode.com/blog/68-healthy-and-colorful-school-lunches-for-kids/

https://www.healthylunchboxweek.org/recipes

https://healthylunchbox.com.au/builder/

https://www.healthylunchboxweek.org/packing-a-healthy-lunchbox

http://healthy-kids.com.au/healthy-lunchbox-snacks/

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/nutrition-fitness/breakfast-lunches/healthy-lunches

https://growingearlyminds.org.au/tips/healthy-lunchbox-ideas/