Reminder for a healthy lunch box for South West families

With some children heading back to school tomorrow, Cancer Council WA, through its Crunch&Sip program, is encouraging South West families to continue to provide nutritious lunch boxes.

Cancer Council WA South West regional education officer Shenae Hawkins said it was a great idea to keep up the habit of preparing a lunch box daily, regardless of whether children were learning from home or going back to school.

“Providing a diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is one of the most important ways parents and carers can ensure their children remain healthy during these challenging times,” Mrs Hawkins said.

A lunch box containing healthy, nutritious food and water means not only will your kids grow up fit and strong, they'll also benefit from being more alert and focused in class.

Mrs Hawkins said the option to buy lunch in the South West had become limited with the coronavirus pandemic, but with planning, families could easily prepare a healthy lunch in advance.

“Start thinking about lunches before your weekly shop, this will ensure you have all the ingredients you need to prepare healthy and tasty lunches,” she said.

“Doing some preparation before the morning is also a great habit.

“Pack the lunch box with vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean proteins like meat, and a water bottle.

If it's all healthy food then it doesn't matter which foods your child grabs first or how they make their way through the lunch box, anything they reach for will give them the energy they need to get through the day.

“Packing a nutritious lunch box eliminates the temptation to reach for unhealthy choices and might just be the secret to ensuring healthy habits are continued.”