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1. When I
am shopping how can I pick a healthy muesli bar?
Check out the label on the packet, and choose a bar with <
600kJ AND
< 3g saturated fat AND > 1 g fibre PER SERVE (must meet all
3 criteria). These are the criteria for snack food bars and
sweet biscuits used in the Fresh tastes @ school healthy
school canteen strategy. There are different criteria for
different types of foods.
For more info see
the
Lunchbox Look Report 2007, and visit
www.schoolcanteens.org.au
For help reading food
labels see our “Reading
Food Labels” Fact Sheet.
2. Is a juice from a juice bar a
healthy choice?
With their basic drinks, juice bars are providing a great
alternative to fast food. However, some of the health claims
are misleading, and the ACCC has taken action stating that
“the claims about certain ingredients may not exist, cannot
be substantiated or, in fact, may adversely impact on a
consumer or their diet.”
3. My children won’t drink water, what
can I do?
Try and teach your children to drink water when they are
thirsty – water is the best thirst quencher. Set an example
yourself.
Start with only having water at the dinner table. Don’t buy
soft drinks and juice, and have a jug of water in the fridge
for everyone to drink. The high sugar content of juices and
soft drinks can damage teeth and lead to extra weight gain.
For more information see our
“Feeling Thirsty”
Fact Sheet.
4. My children often don’t eat their
lunch at school, what can I do?
This can be really frustrating! There may be a many reasons
why your child does not eat all the food in their lunch box.
If they are young, they maybe too keen to play to eat! Try
some of these ideas:
Add some variety – they may be bored with the same old
food
Change the serve size – maybe it is just too much
Add some moist foods/sandwich fillings – especially in
summer maybe the food gets too dry
Pack a small ice brick – again the food maybe warm and
unappetising
Ask your child for ideas – maybe let them buy a small item
from their school canteen occasionally
If all else fails, make sure they have a healthy breakfast
and snacks when they come home from school! This maybe just
a phase which will pass.
For more info on healthy school lunches see our“Healthy Food
Ideas for School’ fact sheet or visit
www.meerilinga.org.au/Nutrition/LunchBoxWorld/For%20Parents.aspx
5. I find it hard to get my young
children to eat the recommended amount of vegetables each
day.
It is possible to reach this target for vegies, and although
we aim for variety in nutrition, with young children we
recognise this is something to work towards. So if children
only eat a few types of vegies, then 4-5 'child sized'
serves based on these are fine, plus trying a few varieties
regularly.
For more information, see our
“Getting Your Serves of Fruit and Veg Each Day” fact sheet
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