Eat Well Be Active - Healthy Kids for LifeSmart choices for school children
Recognising the need for a consistent approach, schools actively encourage healthy eating and support parents in promoting a positive attitude to food.
"School tuckshops can provide a large part of a child's daily nutritional needs," says Queensland Association of School Tuckshops Executive Services Manager, Chris Ogden.
"A school tuckshop serving healthy food reinforces the positive nutrition messages that are taught in the classroom and may introduce students to new foods."
A recent Queensland Government initiative, Smart Choices, has motivated state schools and some non-government schools to offer a greater range of healthy food and drinks.
"Under Smart Choices, state schools must offer students a range of healthy food and drinks that are consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents," says Chris.
"Food and drinks that lack nutritional value or are high in saturated fat and added sugar or salt can only be supplied by schools on two designated occasions per term."
While the strategy does not apply to foods or drinks that children bring from home, there are some easy ways to ensure homemade school lunches satisfy children’s nutritional needs.
Smart lunchbox ideas
- A bowl of salad with bread sticks and cheese.
- Kebabs of fruit or raw vegetables.
- Individual vegetable quiches.
- Easy sandwiches:
- cheese, grated carrot, lettuce and sultanas
- chicken, chopped celery and mayonnaise
- cottage cheese and apple
- banana and sultanas
- tuna, celery and bean sprouts
- egg and lettuce.
Smart snack ideas
- Crackers, corn thins or rice cakes with cheese, cream cheese, honey or vegemite.
- Vegetable pieces such as carrot, celery, broccoli and cauliflower with dip.
- Celery sticks filled with cottage cheese.
- Small pieces of frozen fruit such as orange segments, sliced banana, grapes or watermelon.
- Yoghurt or frozen yoghurt.
- Banana slices coated in coconut.
- Plain popcorn.
Smart to avoid
- Foods such as chips and chocolate bars contain fat, salt or sugar and do not contain many other nutrients. They minimise children's appetites for foods they really need.
- Foods high in sugar, such as lollies, processed fruit bars, muesli bars, sports drinks, soft drinks and cordial are not good choices as they increase the likelihood of weight gain and tooth decay.
Add some new flavours to your child's lunchbox
A wide selection of breads – from traditional wholegrain loaves to Turkish pide – is readily available throughout Queensland. The diverse range on offer reflects the culinary preferences of cultural communities and can help make your child's diet more interesting and varied.
To introduce your child to some new flavours, as well as develop their appreciation of other cultures, try these lunchbox ideas.
Further information
For more information on Smart Choices — the Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools
- Telephone:
- (07)3237 0111
- Website:
- www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy
For more information contact Inclusion Support Agency (ISA) Brisbane, Logan/Redlands and Gold Coast
- Telephone:
- (07) 3265 9326
Last updated: 20 June 2008.