How to build simple, practical and healthy lunchboxes
July 8, 2026

Packing lunchboxes every morning can feel like a big job especially when you’re juggling busy mornings, hungry kids and trying to keep things healthy. The good news? With a little planning and a focus on the five food groups, you can build tasty, simple and healthy lunchboxes that keep kids fuelled for their day learning and playing. 

Follow our simple guide below for packing a lunchbox filled with delicious and nutritious food that your child will love!  

Tip 1: Build a lunchbox using the five food groups 

A healthy lunchbox includes a variety of foods from the five food groups from the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. A lunchbox including foods from the five foods groups is important for growing bodies and minds. A healthy lunch supports children’s growth, learning and cognitive development including memory and concentration as well as their dental health.  

Ideas to help you build a lunchbox:

  • – Vegetables: veggie sticks with dip, salad, leftover roast veggies, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, corn fritters, corn on the cob, zucchini slice.  
  • – Fruit: fruit kebab sticks, fruit salad, pre-peeled mandarin, frozen berries with yoghurt, canned fruit in juice. 
  • – Grains & cereals: homemade muesli bars, grainy bread sandwich, wholegrain crackers, wholegrain wraps with meat, cheese and salad, homemade oat muffins, leftover pasta or pasta salad.   
  • – Lean meats & alternatives: canned beans, baked beans, tinned fish with crackers, wholegrain crackers, chicken in salad or sandwich, hard boiled eggs, leftover roast meat, chickpea or lentil patties, falafel. 
  • – Dairy & alternatives: yoghurt with fresh fruit, milk box, sliced cheese or cream cheese in a sandwich, cheese cubes and crackers, dairy based dip e.g., tzatziki.  

Tip 2: Be colourful  

Try to ‘eat like a rainbow’ and choose lots of colourful fruits and vegetables. A colourful lunchbox means you are more likely to be eating a variety of nutrients which is important for health and growth. 

Tip 3: Go for variety  

When you mix and match foods from the five food groups, you get a lunchbox that keeps kids full of long-lasting energy, fibre, vitamins and protein. Changing it up also makes it new and exciting!  

Tip 4: Plan  

Plan ahead and do a bulk cook up of healthy homemade snacks and freeze into single portions e.g., pikelets, fruit muffins, muesli bars, patties. Some kids may even enjoy having leftovers for lunch! Packing lunchboxes the night before to avoid the morning rush can help save time and stress! 

Tip 5: Pack foods they enjoy  

You know your child best. The most important thing is they have enough food they enjoy eating to get them through the day.  

Tip 6: Choose water  

Water is the best choice of drink or alternatively, plain milk. A frozen water bottle is also a great way to help keep food cold. 

Tip 7: Keep lunchboxes cold and safe  

  • – Use an insulated lunch bag to help keep temperatures down. 
  • – Add a frozen water bottle, milk box or ice brick — this keeps food cold and gives kids a chilled drink at recess. 
  • – Add in frozen snacks, they help keep the lunchbox colder for longer but will be defrosted by lunch time! 
  • – Pack food in airtight containers to prevent spills and keeps bacteria out. 
  • – Cut fruit in the morning or keep it whole to stay fresher for longer. 
  • – Avoid high‑risk foods (meat or dairy foods) sitting at room temperature. Only pack if you’re confident they’ll stay cold. 

If you are looking for inspiration our nom! recipe booklets are packed with tasty, easy and healthy lunchbox snack ideas. The recipes are budget‑friendly, easy for kids to help with, and include foods from the five food groups. 

Here are some favourites: 

K-Pow Fritters – A veggie packed fritters that perfect for kids – made with corn, peas, eggs and cheese these fritters are great warm or cold, perfect for lunchboxes.  

Cheeky Chicken Bites – Bite-sized chicken patty mixed with grated veggies, herbs, parmesan and breadcrumbs an easy protein-rich snack which freeze well and can be packed in lunchboxes hot or cold.  

Choc Banana Pikelets – Fluffy mini pikelets – a great way to use up spotty bananas and give kids a sweet snack, perfect for stacking or freezing for later.  

Healthy lunchboxes don’t need to be complicated. Choose simple foods from the five food groups, add colour, go for variety, plan ahead, and keep it cool. With a few nom! recipes up your sleeve, your kids will enjoy lunchboxes that help them learn, grow and thrive every single day.  

For more lunchbox ideas download this snack idea poster from Superhero Foods HQ, visit Cancer Council’s interactive lunchbox builder or National Nutrition Foundation.