An interactive website has been launched ahead of the new school year to help Illawarra parents create a healthy lunch for their kids.
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Cancer Council NSW’s new Healthy Lunch Box website at healthylunchbox.com.au includes recipes ideas and tips.
Importantly it also features an interactive lunch box builder that enables parents and their kids to plan a healthy lunch box at home, or on the move with their smartphone or tablet.
This is music to the ears for Adele Fiene.
The Wollongong mother of two boys aged between three and five, said it’s challenging finding things her sons’ will eat.
“Franklin is a really fussy eater and as a busy parent it’s quite hard finding time to prepare for lunches and finding foods that are easy to pack into a lunchbox that Franklin will eat,’’ Ms Fiene said.
‘’The Healthy Lunch Box website has been very useful. It has great variety and gives plenty of food ideas.
‘’The website makes packing a lunchbox interesting for my son and there’s food on the website that he is willing to give a go.
‘’The website expands ideas about what a school lunchbox can look like rather than simply a sandwich and a piece of fruit. There is a lot that is useful for busy parents. I really recommend it.’’
The website expands ideas about what a school lunchbox can look like rather than simply a sandwich and a piece of fruit. There is a lot that is useful for busy parents.
- Adele Fiene
The website has been launched as part of Cancer Council NSW’s Eat It To Beat It program which runs free sessions and workshops across Illawarra for parents of primary aged school children, helping them to understand why fruit and vegetables are so important.
The Healthy Lunch Box shows Illawarra parents how easy it can be to add more fruit and veg and pack a lunch box that kids will love to eat while encouraging behaviour that has lifelong cancer prevention benefits.
Cancer Council NSW regional nutrition project officer Kelly Hayes said alarmingly, only seven per cent of NSW children eat enough vegetables and 22 per cent of children are overweight or obese.
She said parents wanted quick and easy access to healthy recipes and inspiration on how to vary lunch box content.
‘’With one child eating about 2500 lunches throughout their years at school, many parents report that packing lunch boxes can be a chore, especially when it comes to getting kids enthusiastic about healthy options such as fruit and vegetables,’’ Ms Hayes said.
‘’Parents want to ensure they are providing their kids with the energy and nutrients they need to learn and play.’’
The website has been supported by OUTRUN CANCER (www.outruncancer.com) and the community.
