Lunchbox Made Easy

🥪 Lunchbox Made Easy: Pick & Mix 1–6!

Packing school lunches can feel like one more thing on a very full plate. The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Our Pick & Mix approach is a simple way to build a balanced lunchbox — just include something from each of the six food groups to help support steady energy, focus and learning throughout the school day.

1. Fruit

Fresh, frozen, tinned (in natural juice) or fruit salad — whatever your child enjoys.

2. Vegetables

Crunchy veggie sticks, cherry tomatoes, corn, or even leftover roasted vegetables. A favourite dip on the side can make veggies more appealing.

3. Milk, Yoghurt and Cheese

Milk, yoghurt (you can freeze it overnight) or cheese cubes/sticks.

4. Meat or Meat Alternative

Egg, tuna, chicken, falafel, lentil patties, baked beans, tofu or hummus.

5. Grain and Cereal Food

A sandwich, wrap or roll (wholegrain where possible), pasta, rice, crackers or savoury muffins.

6. Water

A refillable water bottle every day.

⭐ Three Easy Pick & Mix Ideas

Lunchbox 1Egg & salad sandwich, apple slices, cheese cubes, water

Lunchbox 2Pasta with pesto & veggies, carrot sticks with hummus, yoghurt, water

Lunchbox 3Chicken or falafel wrap, cucumber sticks, grapes, milk or yoghurt, water

🌈 A gentle reminder

Children all have different tastes, sensory preferences and comfort levels with food — and that’s completely okay. Keeping foods separate, repeating familiar favourites, or offering dips on the side can help children feel confident and ready to eat.

🧊 Food safety tip

An insulated lunchbox and an ice brick help keep food fresh and safe until lunchtime.

There’s no need to aim for perfection. Variety across the week matters more than variety in one day. Small, consistent choices really do add up.

For more ideas, take a look at the Pick & Mix Lunchbox guide.