Healthy lunches - fueling growing children
With the start of the school year we thought we would send out a quick reminder about the importance of a healthy lunch, and that we are a water- only school.
With the ongoing rise in the cost of living, a relatively healthy lunchbox containing an apple or banana, some carrot sticks, a cheese sandwich or two and a low sugar muesli bar or a healthy item of home baking, has an approximate cost of $3.00 to $3.50. If we also consider that we can change our buying habits to fit in with seasonal produce, or grow our own, then this cost can come down further.
An unhealthy lunchbox that contains a squeezy yoghurt, a high sugar muesli bar, a packet of crackers, a flavoured milk, a chocolate doughnut and some chippies (all of which are visible in some of our student's lunches) would cost approximately $5.00 - $6.00.
Not only is the healthier lunch box nearly half the price of the unhealthy one it also doesn't contain all of the unhealthy additives, preservatives or excessive amounts of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats. It also provides the energy needed to remain focused until 3 pm and the vitamins and protein that are needed for growth. Junk food and lots of processed food is not only physically unhealthy but also detrimental to their ability to learn through the afternoon sessions.
We urge all of you, no matter how healthy you think your lunch boxes are, to have a real look at what you are sending your child/ren to school with and consider if there are any changes that you could make. If you involve your children in making sandwiches and growing or selecting fruit or vegetables you will find they are more likely to eat them.
There are some very helpful resources listed below, which have great ideas and helpful tips on how to support your child to have good eating habits:
https://kidspot.co.nz/school-age/why-fruits-veggies-are-essential-for-school-kids-childs-health/
https://www.healthinfo.org.nz/index.htm?healthy-school-lunches.htm