Back to school boost

Heart Foundation launches online tool for heart-healthy lunchboxes

Initiative aims to promote nutritious, tasty and budget-friendly school lunch and snack ideas to help both parents and kids

The Heart Foundation has today launched a new online lunchbox tool to empower parents to pack heart-healthy meals and snack options as families prepare ahead of the 2026 school year.

The Heart Foundation is providing the guidance on heart-healthy options in response to concerns that the diet of primary and secondary students do not meet dietary guidelines, particularly when it comes to discretionary food intake.

ABS data shows that children are the leading consumers of unhealthy food, with 37.3% of the average daily energy intake of 5 to 11-year-olds coming from discretionary foods.

Twelve to 17-year-olds are close behind, at 34.9%. In general, the term ‘discretionary foods’ refers to foods which are high in kilojoules but have little nutritional value. These foods include chips, biscuits, pastries, processed meats, take-away style foods, confectionary, and sugary drinks. As these foods are typically high in saturated fats, added sugars and salt, they are not part of a heart-healthy eating pattern and are best kept as occasional treats.

Options that could help build a heart-healthy lunchbox include a healthy carrot cake muffin, fresh berries, yoghurt, chicken, avocado and salad wholegrain sandwiches.

Heart Foundation dietitian Maria Packard said replacing unhealthy foods in school lunchboxes is easier than many people think.

“It’s all about balance. Include something from each food group, add colour, and keep it practical with simple staples and leftovers,” she said.

“Healthy eating is about patterns: if you can add one extra serve of veggies, swap in wholegrains, and let kids choose some fruit they love, you’re one step closer towards a healthier lunchbox.”

Ms Packard said good nutrition would help school-aged children to grow, stay healthy, and focus on learning.