ChicMe WW

Lunchbox Tales: A look at what Aussie kids really eat at school

By Georgia Weir|

Far from the world of mumfluencers packing their kids extravagant Instagram-worthy lunches of heart-shaped sandwiches and fruit held together with cute toothpicks, there is the everyday lunchbox. Think Vegemite sandwiches, an apple and Tiny Teddies.

Welcome to 9Honey Parenting's new series Lunchbox Tales, where each week we lift the lid on what mums and dads are really packing their children for lunch. There is no parent shaming here, just an intimate look at the lunches and snacks Australian kids are taking to school จC and what they bring home at the end of the day.

This week, Sydney mum Brooke gives a sneak peek inside seven-year-old daughter Edie's lunchbox. When it gets to food time at school, Edie will open her lunchbox to find this.

Brooke fills her daughter's lunchbox with Vegemite sandwiches, fruit, veggies and snacks. (Supplied)

READ MORE: Toddler's activity book leaves thousands of adults baffled

9Honey Parenting: What is in your child's lunchbox?

Brooke: You'll always find a vegemite sandwich จC sometimes we mix this up with a cheese and bacon roll but for 10 months of the year จC it's a [Vegemite] sandwich! I have no idea how she doesn't get bored. I would! Other than that we mix it up a little but the usual culprits are: grapes, carrots, rice crackers, twister fruit bar, banana bread.

9Honey Parenting: Does your child have a favourite lunchbox food?

Brooke: Yes จC banana bread. And a few of the mini choc-chip cookies จC on a Friday I often swap them out for mini Oreos and it makes her day!

9Honey Parenting: What has been your biggest lunchbox failure?

Brooke: No watermelon or watery fruit that makes everything else in the lunchbox go soggy and gross. I learnt that the hard way.

OPINION: Why we need to drop the 12-week rule of pregnancy

Edie smashed through most of the contents of her lunchbox. (Supplied)

9Honey Parenting: Does your school have any lunchbox rules?

Brooke: Just the usuals จC no peanuts, they prefer no packets จC but depending on the type of morning I'm having and how much of a rush I'm in, there is often a packet or two. Oops!

9Honey Parenting: Do you have any lunchbox hacks?

Brooke: Pre-prepare everything you can in advance! On a Sunday, I cut up all the carrots for the week so they're ready to go and it's easy to grab a handful to pop in her lunchbox. Same with the banana bread, I usually buy a loaf (don't judge... if I'm feeling Martha Stewart-like I may bake one) and cut the portions up and pop them in zip-lock bags so they're ready to go too. Same with the mini cookies จC they come in little packets, so I empty them all and pop them in a container so I can grab them easily. They're all in a little 'lunchbox station' ready to grab and go!

For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Kids lunchbox notes new slide.
Mum unleashes on son's daycare for 'snack-shaming' note

Property News: Fashion designer's $7 million usual Sydney home.