A lunchbox that actually comes home eaten
If you’re packing lunchboxes and wondering why the food keeps coming home untouched, this *one* simple shift can make a big difference.
I’m Fiona, a Certified Nutrition Consultant and the founder of Mother Nurtured. I specialise in nutrition for pregnancy, postpartum, babies and children, with a big focus on practical, easy and nourishing food that fits real family life. Lunchboxes are something I talk about a lot, both professionally and at home.
Over the years, both professionally and as a mum, I’ve noticed something interesting.
My kids’ lunchboxes all have one thing in common.
And it’s a big reason the food actually gets eaten.
That one thing is colour.
Why colour matters from a nutrition perspective
Colour isn’t just about making food look fun.
From a nutrition point of view, colour tells us a lot about what nutrients are in our food.
Different colours provide different nutrients, and those nutrients support different areas of your child’s health.
Some nutrients support focus and brain development
Others help with energy production
Some support immunity and gut health
Others play a role in calming the nervous system
When you include a variety of colours in your child’s lunchbox, you’re naturally supporting a broader range of nutritional needs without needing to overcomplicate things.
Colour also helps food get eaten... (let me explain)
Beyond nutrition, colour plays a big role in whether food is appealing to children.
Bright, colourful foods are easier to recognise, more inviting, and often feel more fun to eat. A lunchbox that’s visually varied is far more likely to be opened and explored than one where everything looks the same.
This is why I encourage parents to think less perfect and more rainbow.
Not every lunchbox needs to look impressive.
It just needs to look appealing and familiar.
Easy ways to add colour to your child’s lunchbox
You don’t need every colour, every day. Even two or three colours can make a noticeable difference.
Here are some simple, realistic ideas.
Red
• Strawberries
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red capsicum
• Watermelon
• Babybel cheese
Orange & Yellow
• Carrot sticks
• Mandarins
• Orange slices
• Peach
• Corn
• Roast pumpkin
Green
• Cucumber
• Green capsicum
• Celery sticks
• Kiwi fruit
• Snap peas
• Spinach blended into cheese and spinach muffins
Blue & Purple
• Blueberries
• Grapes
• Blackberries
• Plum slices
Healthy lunchboxes don’t have to be complicated. Just small additions that add both nutrition and visual interest.
It’s about:
• Familiar foods
• A mix of nutrients
• And making it easy for kids to choose and eat
Colour is one part of that picture, and it’s a powerful starting point.
If you want more support packing lunchboxes that actually get eaten, or you feel stuck in a lunchbox rut, my Lunchbox Glow Up may just be what you need.
Inside, I break down my full lunchbox formula, including:
• Easy, healthy, real-food ideas
• Nourishing recipes for kids
• Copy-and-paste lunchbox inspiration
• Practical tips to make packing quicker and less stressful
It’s designed to help you pack lunchboxes that support real nourishment, real energy and real life.
