Wellbeing Hub

Keeping Lunchboxes Simple & Affordable

It’s getting harder to create healthy and enjoyable lunches for our children on a budget. However, healthy options can still be affordable and meet the needs of the fussiest eaters.

Our top tips for a healthy and affordable lunchbox are:

1. Keep it simple- know what your children like on sandwiches, wraps or other savoury items and rotate it so that they don’t become sick of the same thing. Add a couple of pieces of fruit and a snack that they enjoy to sustain their energy throughout the day.

2. Plan and shop for the week if possible- no one likes to spend more time in the supermarket than is needed. One large shop that can be distributed throughout the week will be easier to manage and generally helps stick to a budget. Buying seasonal produce is usually the best way to get best value for money.

3. Spend some time prepping on a Sunday (or on a day that provides some flexibility in your schedule)- pre-chopping fruit (e.g. watermelon etc.) or vegetables (e.g. cucumber, carrot, capsicum) so that it is easy to grab and pop into lunchboxes saving you time each day.

4. Buy in bulk- buying larger packs is usually cheaper and then separate them out. Sometimes individual packets seem easier, but they often don’t work out the most cost effective (e.g. biscuits, chips, popcorn, crackers).

5. Buy a bit extra or keep some other snacks handy in case you run out! Sometimes we have a bit extra in fridge or pantry at the end of the week but if you can freeze or store items with a longer shelf-life and reuse another week it is sure to help the budget.

Family-friendly lunchbox ideas include:

-Dip and crackers or vegie sticks

-Savoury pancakes or sandwich and wraps

-Rice/Corn cakes (with choice of spread)

-Dried fruit

-Pinwheels made with tomato paste, ham and cheese are easy to make, require little ingredients and freeze well.

Mental Health Resources

Head to Health

Access to trusted mental health and wellbeing information, online programs and digital resources.

Beyond Blue

Learn more about depression and anxiety or talk it through with our support service.

Phone: 1300 224 636 (24/7) Email or chat online.

eheadspace

A confidential, free and secure space where young people aged 12 to 25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth mental health professional.

Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am – 1am everyday).

Lifeline

Access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services.

Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7).