Eating well: Packed lunches for 1 to under-5 year olds - Packed lunches guide and ideas

Sep 27, 2026

Eating well: Packed lunches for 1 to under-5 year olds provides practical, evidence-based guidance for preparing nutritious, cost-effective packed lunches for children aged 1 to under 5. It outlines why packed lunch ideas matter for early years settings and families, describes key eating-well principles, and explains how to pack, plan value, and include appropriate foods for this age group. The guide covers gluten-free lunch options, sources of key vitamins and minerals, and suitable lunch box and drink container choices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time2 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

About this guide

Why do we need ideas for packed lunches?

Key principles of eating well for 1 to under-5 year olds

How to pack a packed lunch

Making good-value packed lunches

What should go into a packed lunch for 1 to under-5 year olds?

Ideas for packed lunches for 1 to under-5 year olds

Making a gluten-free lunch box

Good sources of vitamins and minerals

Packed lunch boxes and drinks containers

Eating well: Packed lunches for 1 to under-5 year olds Eating well: Packed lunches for 1 to under-5 year olds By Dr Helen Crawley and Rosa Sparks ISBN (printed version): 978-1-908924-33-9 ISBN (e-book): 978-1-908924-32-2 Published by First Steps Nutrition Trust. First edition published in 2015. Updated in 2024. A PDF of this resource is available on the First Steps Nutrition [Trust website](Trust website www.firststepsnutrition.org)[ www.firststepsnutrition.org](Trust website www.firststepsnutrition.org) The text of this resource, and the photos, can be reproducedin other materials provided that the materials promote public health and make no profit, and an acknowledgement is made to First Steps Nutrition Trust. This resource is provided for information only and individual advice on diet and health should always besought from appropriate health professionals. First Steps Nutrition Trust Studio 2.14 The Food Exchange New Covent Garden Market London SW8 5EL E: [Vicky@firststepsnutrition.org](Vicky@firststepsnutrition.org) [Registered charity number: 1146408](Registered charity number: 1146408) First Steps Nutrition Trust is a charity which provides clear, evidence-based and independent information and support for good nutrition from pre-conception to five years of age. For more information, see our website [www.firststepsnutrition.org](www.firststepsnutrition.org) Acknowledgements The text, menus and photos were written, planned and designed by Dr Helen Crawley and Rosa Sparks. The photos were taken by Helena Little. Updates were made by Rachel Childs. We would like to thank Andrea Basu, Fiona Bayne, Jane Harrison, Diana Hawdon, Laura Low, Sally Tedstone, Marjon Willers and Lisa Williams for their useful comments. Edited by Wordworks and and White Creative. Design by Sally Geeve. Contents | About this guide | 3 | | --- | --- | | Why do we need ideas for packed lunches? | 4 | | Key principles of eating well for 1 to under-5 year olds | 5 | | How to pack a packed lunch | 7 | | Making good-value packed lunches | 11 | | What should go into a packed lunch for 1 to under-5 year olds? | 14 | | Ideas for packed lunches for 1 to under-5 year olds | 16 | | Making a gluten-free lunch box | 48 | | Good sources of vitamins and minerals | 49 | | Packed lunch boxes and drinks containers | 51 | About this guide This guide has been written to provide practical ideas for anyone who is preparing packed lunches for children aged 1 to under 5 years. We hope it will be particularly useful to early years settings who may want to provide guidance to families and child carers about how to provide a nutritious, cost-effective and practical packed lunch for children of this age. The packed lunches shown in this resource all provide the amount of energy (calories) needed by children of this age at a main meal and, if a range of packed lunches are eaten over a period of a week or more, they will provide the important nutrients that young children need to develop and grow. 4 Why do we need ideas for packed lunches? M any children will take a packed lunch to their early years settings. Shared mealtimes offer an ideal opportunity for young children to learn healthy dietary habits and food preferences as they try new foods and observe the eating behaviours of their peers. For many families, this will be the first time they have had to provide regular meals for their child outside of the home and preparing a healthy, balanced lunchbox can be a daunting experience. Early years settings have a unique opportunity to support parents and carers as they learn how to provide low-cost and healthy packed lunches for their children. A packed lunch should provide the same amount of energy and nutrients as a main meal forchildren of these ages, and should follow the key principles of eating well for this age group. Healthy eating and physical activity are essential for proper growth and development in child

FAQs

Who is this guide for and what age range does it cover?

The guide is written for anyone preparing packed lunches for children aged 1 to under 5 years, and it is especially intended to support early years settings, parents, and carers.

What should a packed lunch provide for 1 to under-5 year olds?

A packed lunch should provide the same amount of energy and nutrients as a main meal for children in this age range, following the key principles of eating well for this group.

How does the guide address vitamin supplements for young children?

It explains public health recommendations that children aged 6 months to 5 years should have daily vitamin supplements of A, C, and D unless specific dietary conditions apply, and notes availability through Healthy Start and related schemes.

Sep 27, 2026

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