It’s back to school time… so what does your lunchbox look like when your Dad’s a dentist?

 

Ascot Dental has the answer and encourages all patient’s, young and old to pack a nutritious and delicious lunch not just for a healthy body and mind – but to also maintain optimal health for your teeth and gums.

 

 

 

 

  1. Healthy lunches can be fun when you combine exciting foods that are all natural in flavour, colour and presentation. Below are a couple of examples of what Dr Andrew Cane packs for his kids and recommends as a delicious, healthy lunch combo:
  2. Watermelon, blueberries & raspberries. Banana, cheese, coconut flakes. Potato, carrot and herb frittata with greek yoghurt.
    Crackers. Tomato, bocconcini with rice balls and balsamic glaze. Avocado dip and crackers. Ham and cheese sandwich.

 

These lunchbox combinations are not only filling – they are fresh, delicious and colourful too. Sure to keep the fussiest eaters entertained!

 

So what should you remove from your lunchbox?

 

  • Packaged food – museli bars, fruit rollups, chips, confectionery.

 

It’s foods like these that can deceive with beautiful, healthy-looking packaging when in actual fact they house high amounts of refined sugars. When we eat and drink, the bacteria in plaque use the sugars in food to make acid. Food and drinks such as soft drinks and fruit rollups, are already acidic, and this acid can make holes in the teeth.

 

What should you include in your lunchbox?

 

  • Fresh food – Fruit – 1 – 2 serves per day. Vegetables – 2-5 serves per day.
  • Grains – 4-7 serves per day, bread, rice, pasta, noodles, quinoa, oats, cereal, museli.
  • Meat, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, beans, seeds – 1-2 serves per day
  • Milk, yoghurt (low sugar like plain greek yoghurt), cheese – 1-3 serves per day

 

Think of the healthy food pyramid and focus on the ideal servings above.

 

SWAP IN, SWAP OUT

 

  • Potato Chips for Veggie/Lentil chips
  • Lollies and sweets for fresh fruit and berries
  • Biscuits for Bliss Balls
  • Sweet, fruity yoghurts for Greek yoghurt
  • Store bought muesli bars for homemade muesli bars

 

With the swap in, swap out approach you can ensure that your little one is fuelled with all the optimal nutrients for a long day at school and look after their teeth and gums.