{"id":969,"date":"2017-10-19T15:12:01","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T15:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/?page_id=969"},"modified":"2026-07-13T15:29:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:29:01","slug":"healthy-eating","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/index.php\/resources\/healthy-eating\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy lunchboxes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Triangle-preschool-nursery-winchester-hampshire-healthy-food.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Triangle-preschool-nursery-winchester-hampshire-healthy-food.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Triangle-preschool-nursery-winchester-hampshire-healthy-food.png 600w, https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Triangle-preschool-nursery-winchester-hampshire-healthy-food-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"415\">Healthy food habits for happy learners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good nutrition supports growth, concentration and wellbeing \u2014 at preschool and at home. On this page you\u2019ll find simple advice, practical ideas and useful resources to make healthy eating enjoyable for your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why healthy eating matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Triangle Pre-School we believe that nutritious food helps children to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p data-start=\"746\" data-end=\"781\">feel energised and ready to learn<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"784\" data-end=\"815\">build concentration and focus<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"818\" data-end=\"854\">develop positive attitudes to food<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"857\" data-end=\"900\">maintain balanced growth and healthy bodies<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healthy eating isn\u2019t about perfection \u2014 it\u2019s about <strong data-start=\"953\" data-end=\"1000\">balance, regular routines and fun with food<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we encourage here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We support a positive approach to eating by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p data-start=\"1084\" data-end=\"1129\">offering a variety of fruits and vegetables<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1132\" data-end=\"1178\">role-modelling eating together at snack time<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1224\">celebrating different tastes and cultures<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1227\" data-end=\"1276\">encouraging children to try, not force, new foods<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical lunchbox ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build a balanced lunchbox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good lunchbox includes foods from <strong data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1394\">three groups<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"1397\" data-end=\"1428\">1. carbohydrates for energy<\/strong><br data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1431\">(e.g. bread, pasta, wraps, rice, crackers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"1475\" data-end=\"1500\">2. protein for growth<\/strong><br data-start=\"1500\" data-end=\"1503\">(e.g. cheese, eggs, beans, lean meat, yoghurt)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"1551\" data-end=\"1591\">3. fruit and vegetables for vitamins<\/strong><br data-start=\"1591\" data-end=\"1594\">(e.g. cucumber sticks, berries, cherry tomatoes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add water to drink \u2014 we encourage children to bring <strong data-start=\"1696\" data-end=\"1720\">a named water bottle<\/strong> every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick and healthy ideas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1783\">Easy to pack<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p data-start=\"1786\" data-end=\"1819\">mini wholemeal pita with hummus<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1856\">boiled egg + wholegrain crackers<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1859\" data-end=\"1887\">diced chicken + veg sticks<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1890\" data-end=\"1912\">yogurt + fresh berries<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"1914\" data-end=\"1933\">Fun finger food<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p data-start=\"1936\" data-end=\"1960\">colourful fruit kebabs<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"1995\">cucumber slices + cream cheese<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"1998\" data-end=\"2040\">banana slices with peanut butter (if safe)<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong data-start=\"2042\" data-end=\"2065\">Something different<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2097\">quinoa salad with sweetcorn<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"2100\" data-end=\"2128\">rice wraps with grated veg<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2163\">fruit salad with yoghurt drizzle<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(<em data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2260\">If your child has dietary allergies, please let us know and we\u2019ll support safe alternatives.<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for home and lunchboxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p data-start=\"2303\" data-end=\"2364\"><strong data-start=\"2303\" data-end=\"2328\">Small portions first:<\/strong> children can always ask for more.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2432\"><strong data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2387\">Lead by example:<\/strong> eating together builds positive attitudes.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"2435\" data-end=\"2523\"><strong data-start=\"2435\" data-end=\"2458\">Involve your child:<\/strong> let them choose a fruit or help pack \u2014 this boosts confidence.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p data-start=\"2526\" data-end=\"2592\"><strong data-start=\"2526\" data-end=\"2549\">Mix familiar + new:<\/strong> one favourite with one new bite at a time.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Eatwell Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public Health England&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/551502\/Eatwell_Guide_booklet.pdf\">Eatwell Guide<\/a> divides the foods and drinks we eat into five main groups. Try to choose a variety of different foods from each of the groups to help you get the wide range of nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and work properly.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1124\" height=\"796\" src=\"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356.jpeg\" alt=\"A drawing of a plate showing the recommended proportions of the different food groups\" class=\"wp-image-973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356.jpeg 1124w, https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356-300x212.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356-768x544.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356-1024x725.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/trianglepreschool.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/screenshot-www.gov_.uk-2017-10-19-15-09-12-356-424x300.jpeg 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1124px) 100vw, 1124px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More ideas for a healthy lunchbox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/Livewell\/childhealth6-15\/Pages\/Lighterlunchboxes.aspx\">What to include in your child&#8217;s lunchbox<\/a>, as recommended by the NHS. Get your child involved in choosing healthy options using change4life&#8217;s interactive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/change4life-beta\/recipes\/healthier-lunchboxes#xYX4MjKM4Idy5Jya.97\">Healthier lunchboxes<\/a>. There are some great ideas on BBC Good Food&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/howto\/guide\/school-packed-lunch-inspiration\">School packed lunch inspiration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick FAQ (for parents)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What drinks are recommended?<\/strong><br>Water is our first choice. Milk is fine too; please avoid sugary drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I include treats?<\/strong><br>Occasional treats are fine \u2014 balance is key. We focus on nutritious everyday food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>My child won\u2019t eat vegetables \u2014 help!<\/strong><br>Small steps matter. Try offering small amounts, fun shapes or dips to explore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Healthy food habits for happy learners Good nutrition supports growth, concentration and wellbeing \u2014 at preschool and at home. On &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":911,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-969","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Healthy lunchboxes - Triangle Pre-School<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Making lunchboxes that are both healthy and fun isn&#039;t always easy. 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