This post is brought to you in collaboration with Uncle Tobys.
The battle of the lunchbox - do you fight it at your home too?
Each weekday, like millions of other mamas across Australia, I am up at the crack of dawn preparing healthy lunchboxes for my kids prior to school. I carefully vary my additions every day and try keep it all simple and appealing. There's always a wholegrain sandwich filled with meat or cheese. Then there's a piece of fruit, either whole or chopped in a container to entice my not-so-very-adventurous eaters. Lastly, I pack something home-baked and wholesome; some yummy cookies or a slice of cake with 'added benefits.' (AKA fruit, vegetables or nuts.) Plus a muesli bar.
I have always viewed lunchtimes as the very best time to introduce the goodness of as many food groups as possible to my kids. Pretty early on in the picture, I noted that my children were typically fresh, hungry and more willing than at any other time of day, to consume whatever was on their plate at this midday meal.
I can't say that trend has continued into the school years however.
While it's not difficult for me to put a decent lunchbox together to this day, it is certainly a whole different story when it comes to getting my kids to actually eat what I've packed when they're away from home. (I'm sure you will agree on this too!) Despite my laborious efforts day after day, my bathroom wastebasket continues to spill over with mouldy sandwiches carelessly flung there by my kids. It's a nationwide phenomenon referred to as the 'boomerang lunchbox.' I am not alone in the lunchbox wars though and a recent survey has proven it.
 |
| One of several mouldy sandwich culprits in this household. |
In the first major study into Australian kids' lunchboxes, (the Uncle Tobys Fuel for Thought Report), it has become apparent that many Aussie parents are struggling to keep their kids fuelled for the day. Almost half of the parents surveyed in the study reported that their child came home each week with at least one uneaten lunch.
Not a great thing for little learners.
Nutritionists have long-touted the benefits of regular snacking and the importance this plays in providing the necessary fuel for bodies and brains. It seems our kids are suffering from long stints between meals during school days. In fact, 45% of parents are providing unhealthy snacking options just to get kids through their day, instead of healthy ones.
In light of this study, Uncle Tobys have recently overhauled their entire muesli bar range to bring them to a healthy 4 Star Rating. Muesli bars are a fantastic choice for kids to nibble between meals and now Uncle Tobys has made theirs even more appealing.
The new range of Uncle Tobys Muesli Bars taste fantastic with an overall reduction in the sugar content and an increase in whole grains. Specifically, Uncle Tobys Chewy and Yoghurt Muesli Bars now have more whole grains, while the sugar content of the Yoghurt range has been reduced significantly. My kids love them too.
So how can we make sure our children consume their lunches? Well, according to the experts, start by including the right choices in their lunchboxes.
Apparently, the most successful lunchbox offerings are those that have your child's input: Offer your children a selection of the right options and let them make their choices from those presented to them.
It's well-known that kids who have played an active role in the preparation of their food are more likely to consume their efforts.
To make a successful lunch together, keep it simple and get your kids involved in the planning of their food choices for recess and lunchtimes. Consider offering up to four options that are nutritious and invite your children to decide according to their tastes.
Make fruit and vegetable options appealing. Past experience has proven peeled or cut fruit in containers has far more chance of being consumed than a piece of fruit in its natural 'whole' state. Finally, make sure food containers and wrappers are easy for children to open.
I've been tossing an extra muesli bar into the kids' lunches for a few weeks now to keep them fuelled.
In addition to adding an extra source of fibre to their diet, I'm appreciating the convenience in these hectic end-of-term weeks. You can find the new and improved Uncle Tobys Muesli Bars at your supermarket. Learn more about Uncle Tobys on their website.
Do your kids have boomerang lunches?
How many lunches come home each week untouched in your household?
What do you typically pack into your child's lunchbox?
***GIVEAWAY***
Win one of three, 10 pack cases of
Uncle Tobys Muesli Bars to kick-start healthy snacking habits in your children!
Each case contains 60 bars valued at $40 each.
Three followers of Six Little Hearts will have the opportunity to win one of the three prizes.
Total prize pool $120.
Please note, due to the Christmas season, there may be a small delay in receiving your prize if you are a winner!
Giveaway ends January 15, 2016.
To Enter:
Please follow Six Little Hearts on Facebook
Please follow Uncle Tobys on Facebook
Please fill out the Rafflecopter App below and include your full name, address, postcode and phone number when prompted for the immediate distribution of your prize. (No PO Boxes please!)
Please note: You must leave a comment along with your name inside of your comment to enter this giveaway. This is a game of skill. Entries that do not contain a name within the comment box are unable to be matched and are void.
Good luck!
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Uncle Tobys is a regular in my cupboard.
ReplyDeleteyoghurt and fruit are always in their lunch bags and my 3 year old is super fussy only mainly likes sweet things
ReplyDeleteAnother great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy kids love Uncle Toby's muesli bars! My problem is hiding them so they only get eaten at school and not when my kids are hungry at home! Ingrid
ReplyDeleteI always make sure there's lots of fresh yummy fruit with a little treat to get them through the day
ReplyDeleteI absolutely suck at and HATE making lunches! My son is so picky! Gah, does my head in and they have not been too healthy lately! Oops. #teamIBOT
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty lucky with my kids, they'll eat most things I pack for them! The usuals are sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, veggie sticks and dip, cheese and crackers, pretzels, and I've just started making my own sushi, so that'll be getting included next year once the kids are back at school!
ReplyDelete(Stacey Shailer)
DeleteSushi! Yum! Congratulations winner 1! Will be in touch shortly. :D
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt makes no sense to me but the kids save their lunch for afternoon tea, preferring to snack during the day so at lunchtime they can play!
ReplyDeleteWould love the raspberry (or fruit) and yoghurt bars please
I pack sushi for the kids lunch during winter, all their school friends are apparently nori-green with envy!
ReplyDeleteJ. george
DeleteMy kids make their own lunches which helps them actually get eaten. I'm also eternally grateful for schools doing brain food, because then I know that the fruit won't be ignored.
ReplyDeleteApart from the regular Uncle Toby's Muesli Bars I try to include home made things....cheesymite or pizza scrolls are a favourite and also tiny tuna patties, ham & cheese potato skins or even fried rice which she loves cold. OMG I'm getting hungry just writing this!! For snacks, she loves apples and they have to be granny smiths to go with her muesli bars. I'd be lost with out my favourite Uncle Toby - Happy Days
ReplyDeleteLunch sounds fab at your place! Congratulations winner 2! Will be in touch by email shortly...
DeleteAt the moment we're spending the bucks on blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, just to get the teen to eat some fruit!
ReplyDeleteI like to include fruit and sometime a yoghurt dip!
ReplyDeleteOops hit publish too soon! I also like to add veggie sticks and dip. (Lucia Saa)
DeleteIn summer, frozen grapes, I mean the kids already suffering from stuck at school exhaustion, they don't need to be stuck with heat exhaustion too!
ReplyDeleteJessica Maloney
I never had a problem with my 3 Kids eating & Taking lunch to school, apart from my fussy 15yr old in High School....He will not even take a sandwich and when he was made he was coming home with them and hiding them in his room after a while I could smell the most awful smell wafting from his room so I investigated...... it was rotten mouldy sandwich's about 10...It was so disgusting and so hard to get rid of the stench in his draws,lol.
ReplyDeleteSonya Blyton
Haha! I had a similar experience with my teen son's schoolbag a few weeks ago - yuck!!
DeleteAlways add lots of fruit and add little goodies into baked goods to make them healthier I find a cute little love insipidity note helps bring home an empty lunch box too
ReplyDeleteI'm all for healthy kid lunches, which is why bub is getting lots of fruit and veggies in her recently started exploration of solids. As a mum still breastfeeding, it's actually healthy food like muesli bars which are so important for *me* when I get that tired need for an energy boost in the afternoon (and morning and middle of the night and...) - Amelia
ReplyDeletejames sharpe
ReplyDeleteanything and everything organic and free range and no hidden nasties
Linda Hynson-uncle Tobys museli bars are a firm favourite along with fruit and home baked snacks
ReplyDeleteI don't have to pack lunches for the kids, but when we're out and about and adventuring I usually have crackers, a piece of fruit, a sandwich and a treat. You really can't go wrong with Uncle Toby's. The girls love muesli bars.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment school lunches are a ham sandwich, cherry tomatoes, hommus and crackers and a pear.
ReplyDeleteMy eldest (age 7) eats anything and makes her own lunch, so that is easy. My middle (age 4) is fussy, but lunch is all good, because she loves bread - so sandwiches are a breeze. And my little one usually eats whatever I do.
ReplyDeleteSarah Ellwood -
ReplyDeleteWe make lunch box treats together which is really nice mostly and at times frustrating LOL! I find getting them involved with the cooking process helps in getting them to eat their lunches, as there was a time that nearly everything would come home again.
Mini sausage rolls and quiches are quick and easy, great for the kiddies and we do add grates veg to make them a bit more healthier. They also have some fruit and anot after lunch treat, home made slices or cakes if we've made them but if we are running low I usually chuck in some Cobbs popcorn and a muesli bar!
Great ideas Sarah and you are our third winner - congratulations! Thanks to everyone for entering - there are some great ideas here!
DeleteFinger foods are a winner with mine: Cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, grapes... Anything that can go straight into the mouth.
ReplyDeleteUncle Tobys Yoghurt and Raspberry Muesli Bars would go down a treat!
Jennifer Bush
Usually not much problem with lunch box snacks, sandwich, mini pies, quiche, muffins and fruits. I would love the yogurt & raspberry muesli bars sounds deliciously amazing.
ReplyDeleteFruit is always in my kids lunchbox as is something sweet to bribe them to eat their fruit! My kids can be fussy eaters sticking to the particular foods they like. I wish they would enjoy a little more variety.
ReplyDeleteWe love watermelon, apples and a banana
ReplyDeletecheese, corn thins and cabana!!
Uncle Tobys bars,
we would love to try
they sound delicious,
crunchy , oh my!!
Wow that is fuel for thought and it is great to se Uncle Toby's making changes and listening. These look great and I have to admit I really need to look at the sugar content in my kids snacks a lot more!
ReplyDeleteCheese, yoghurt and sandwiches, she will only eat ham and cheese or honey on them, she doesn't like to try new things.
ReplyDeleteWendy Sutcliffe
DeleteA delicious range of homemade dips
ReplyDeleteServed with sesame seed biscuit strips
Or fruit kebabs, they look divine
The kids' favourite fruits all in a line
And simple cherry tomatoes and squares of cheese
Are a welcome favourite and certainly please!
Sticks of cucumber, or mini feta pies
Are some healthy snacks this mum supplies!
Michelle Vamvas
Dips, crackers, fruit and more
ReplyDeleteAll the veggies we have in store
Sultanas, wraps and pieces of cheese
She makes her way through all of these!!!
my little man is such a fussy little eater and some days he just eat buttered bread I am worried next year with the start of school he won't eat his lunch.
ReplyDeleteThose muesli bars look great!t I do love making my own, but sometimes you just dont have time! Thank you for all of your support of Fabulous Foodie Fridays throughout 2015. Have a wonderful Christmas!! xx
ReplyDeleteWe mix things up as the kids get bored. But we keep it as fresh as possible along with dips and cheese. They like wraps as well as rice cakes. Tess Howard
ReplyDeleteA tub of yoghurt(I'm famous for forgetting the spoon!),
ReplyDeleteSandwiches cut into shapes(the stars, the moon),
Ordinary, square sandwiches don't taste the same(apparently),
But cookie cutters add flavour(and novelty!),
Pureed fruit is popular in Summer's heat,
And fruit threaded on a kebab stick looks like a 'treat',
My kids love watermelon, grapes and pitted stone-fruit,
And I add cucumber and cherry tomatoes, to boot!
If they are on a stick, they don't question, so I don't know why,
At home, in a fruit bowel, fruits grow mould and die...!
Dry bikkies with beetroot or cucumber dip are popular, too,
Even their healthy-food-phobic mates pinch a few!
And an Uncle Toby's Muesli Bar is included daily(not just a plug by me!),
Because they like every flavour and variety!
I love to include some protein, greens and high fibre carbs such as Uncle Tobys wholegrain bars.
ReplyDeleteI always include a sandwich, a piece of fruit that they have chosen, and a cupcake that they have helped me made. I find that the more they are included in their lunches the more likely they are to eat them.
ReplyDeletesmall mixes of chopped up fruit and veg, always a cracker and cheese and home made hommus
ReplyDeleteUncle Toby's muesli bar, Fruit juice, a piece of fruit and a treat made from home.
ReplyDeleteI include some fresh fruit and vegetables along with some cheese and sometimes yoghurt. I get the kids to pick what they want - more chance of them eating it then.
ReplyDeleteAlicia Bardsley
Uncle Tobys Muesli Bars competition
I love adding a homemade muffin or cupcake as a sweet street as well as some fruit, bag of chips or popcorn with a yummy sandwich and a muesli bar!
ReplyDeleteKylie Bowers
DIP! It's my secret weapon! Those carrot sticks, celery sticks, crackers etc that always got avoided are now always eaten ever since i started adding a little container of tatziki or hommus to their lunchboxes.
ReplyDelete(A crate of Uncle Tobys Yoghurt and Raspberry Muesli Bars would definitely be well received in this big family)
Thanks, Erin Rennie (that IS my name but it says I'm commenting as Anna Elisbeth my daughter as her google account is registered..........)
Homemade muffins and slices and of course Uncle Toby's muesli bars!
ReplyDeleteHomemade bliss protein balls,
ReplyDeleteI don't like putting yoghurt in at all!
So this gives them a protein hit,
And they love them to bits.
Laura Scriven
Yum, love these bars. A great snack!
ReplyDeleteI get them to choose a couple snacks and Fillings for the sandwhiches that way I know they are eating what they want. I don't force them but I do give them healthy choices with treats.
ReplyDeleteFruits. Never forget fruits.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time it's a banana but my child like all fruits.
We love all flavours of muesli bars and along with fruit they are a regular in our lunchboxes!
ReplyDeleteKids love their lunches attractive, colourful and bright. Decorated, lots of variety, home-made , fresh and always tasty. Lots of fruit , vegetables displayed to entice, healthy all wrapped up looking nice. Cleo Sids, yoghurt bars.
ReplyDeleteA couple of months ago, on a school night, I let my kids stay up late to watch "the sugar show". Since then, they always check the labels, and compare sugar content :) We make "healthy" muffins, with carrot, zucchini (but there needs to be absolutely no, no, NO green showing) otherwise it doesn't get eaten.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was getting a bit bored of the usual sandwiches so i started baking some savoury cheese pancakes on a Sunday and stashing them in the freezer to use throughout the week and she loves them! (They defrost really well and you can add so many yummy veggies and herbs to them and serve them with fresh dips too!) My daughter does love a muesli bar as a lunch box treat too,(and so do I!) so would love to win this prize! Thanks, Amanda Giffard
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was getting a bit bored of the usual sandwiches so i started baking some savoury cheese pancakes on a Sunday and stashing them in the freezer to use throughout the week and she loves them! (They defrost really well and you can add so many yummy veggies and herbs to them and serve them with fresh dips too!) My daughter does love a muesli bar as a lunch box treat too,(and so do I!) so would love to win this prize! Thanks, Amanda Giffard
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was getting a bit bored of the usual sandwiches so i started baking some savoury cheese pancakes on a Sunday and stashing them in the freezer to use throughout the week and she loves them! (They defrost really well and you can add so many yummy veggies and herbs to them and serve them with fresh dips too!) My daughter does love a muesli bar as a lunch box treat too,(and so do I!) so would love to win this prize! Thanks, Amanda Giffard
ReplyDeleteI have a VERY fussy eater. No meat included ARGH! Not fussed on sandwiches or wraps so it's usually yoghurt or some homemade cinnamon raisin bread. School has fruit break during class time which has been amazing for getting her to eat more fruit. Including apples. I gave the class an apple cutter which really improved the amount of kids bringing fruit and apples in particular. I try not to stress over it too much as it makes her anxious too. She gets her vitamins every day and is healthy and happy and that's what counts.
ReplyDeleteMason Jar salads are a lunchtime winner in our house. Colorful, can be made ahead of time and the kids love adding dressing at lunchtime to their jars they help create!
ReplyDeleteMiss Nine gets a similar lunch most days - crackers and cheese, vegetables and maybe a small frozen yogurt for recess. For lunch, it's always a tomato sandwich, fruit and something sweet, usually homemade cake, slice or biscuit.
ReplyDeletePhillip Cunningham which is me gives my little ones fresh fruit in their lunch.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter insists on an apple (has to be a Granny Smith, Muesli bars are very popular with hubby taking one a day to work also. The variety is in the mains with possibly a sandwich, a wrap or some wholegrain rice cakes/crackers. Apricot Muesli Bars are a favourite in my household.
ReplyDeleteforgot to include my full name; Adele Smith :)
DeleteCold pasta and salad dressing. It's my 8yr old boys favourite
ReplyDeleteI do a sandwich, something sweet (fruit) and something savoury (crackers, cheese)
ReplyDeleteGrowing up with Uncle Toby's, I am glad that my kids will also grow up with Uncle Toby's. - Lyndall Crisp
ReplyDeleteUncle Tobys has been a staple in my pantry for generations, it's been a godsend for myself, mother and grandmother, all hard working, no fuss women, doing it tough. Knowing Uncle Tobys is taking care of the nutritious snacks is enough!
ReplyDeleteFruit, sandwich, baked treat and yoghurt. I find as kids get older they eat less and socialise more so need to ensure they like what is in their lunchbox.
ReplyDeleteKelly Ryan
This fits in perfectly with my New Year Resolution to reduce our sugar intake.
ReplyDeleteSandwiches, wraps, dips and fruit,
ReplyDeleteYoghurt, kabana, carrots and cheese,
Leftover quiche and muffins too,
"But nothing green because it'll make me spew!" (his words)
Vicki Fraser
My children love Salad rolls for their lunch, always pop in a banana and apple and an uncle toby's muesli bar, choc chip for the girls and yoghurt top for the boys! (Monique Kavanagh)
ReplyDeleteLots of little things chopped up- ham, cheese, grapes, kiwi fruit, pita bread, hommus. Little fingers and little mouths love little pieces of food!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Basically millions of things, as who knows what mood they will be in today? Lots of dried fruit, fresh fruit, a muesli bar, popcorn, sandwiches. You name it, they have it!
ReplyDeleteA sandwich, piece of fruit and a treat. The yoghurt and raspberry sounds delicious. :) Linda Courtney
ReplyDelete(Laura Carey) There is always a sandwich, plus some vegies (carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, snow peas for example), some cut up fruit, and a 'treat' (a homemade cake or slice). Although one of my daughters always manages to eat her treat but is "too full" to finish her vegies!
ReplyDeleteKatrina Bradfield - I always put in fruit of their choosing whether it's a banana or tub of blueberries, and usually some yogurt but only if it's not too hot
ReplyDeleteFruit, veges and nuts, muffins, wraps, sangas and bars, I like to vary so it doesn't get boring, and I always receive an empty lunchbox. Uncle Tobys Yoghurt & Raspberry
ReplyDeleteEva Kiraly
Uncle Tobys Museli Bars Kristy Tripney. I try to be creative with lunches but my kids complain they don't want to sit long to eat because they just want to go and play!! Therefore, museli bars are a popular lunchbox item.
ReplyDeleteLuckily my littlies aren't too fussy with lunch box foods, but I do try and mix it up regularly. If only they were so happy to eat their veggies at dinner time. Megan Higgs
ReplyDeleteim an unlucky mum when it comes to eating Miss 8 will eat almost anything but mr 5 has sensory issues with food, to avoid this I only pack foods that he asks for and if its empty when he gets home there is a sticker and special small treat
ReplyDeleteKerryanne Bourke
Deleteoranges and lemons
ReplyDeleteslices and yoghurt
salad sandwiches for lunches
and water for a drink
My 3 year old son is a grazer. I usually give him a platter with fruits, crackers, cheese and sultanas to choose from.
ReplyDeleteEbony Carr
Sandwiches and tubs of frozen berries are winners with my kids. My other (older) son used to skip lunch in yr 7 because it was not cool to eat a cut lunch - that's peer pressure for you!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA crate full of crunchy goodness for kids with Mums on the run.
ReplyDeletei take my kids to the fruit shop and let them pick their own sweets and treats of the right kind
ReplyDeleteThe battle of the lunch box? Its sounds like battle with syria. There are many ways of preparing lunch at home and it is good for health. Yes, but preparing or decorating lunch box for children is like battle.
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