Its well known that your microbiome (good bacteria) is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. More and more, research is showing how a healthy gut is foundational for good health and a robust immune system, especially when it comes to children. The gut microbiome is established in the early years or life that’s why it’s so important to support your child’s gut microbiome while they are growing. Studies have shown a strong link between having healthy gut bacteria and reducing the incidence of allergies/intolerances, eczema, asthma and other respiratory infections.

When it comes to feeding your child and deciding on what to pack for their lunch (oh the dreaded school lunchbox pack and wondering what your child will actually eat that day!) there are many ways to help fill the lunch box with yummy yet healthy snacks that are going to be for nurturing the microbiome that lives in their gut.

One of the most important food groups that is going to keep them full and not reaching the high carb/sugary treats is protein - there are plenty of protein snack ideas that are helpful to encourage a healthy gut bacterium to flourish. Here are some of my favourites that I send to school with my daughter.

Homemade ideas:

• Mountain bread wraps or a sourdough bread with roast beef/chicken, hummus, sauerkraut & capsicum
• Vegetarian meatballs
• Bone broth miso soup
• Scrolls with miso banana filling
• Homemade gummies
• Turmeric curried egg with avocado

 Store-bought ideas:

• Ceres organic seaweed nori
• Keep it cleaner bliss balls (if your school allows nuts)
• The Happy Snack Company roasted chickpeas
• Farmers Union natural Greek style yoghurt pouch. (not flavoured).
• Coyo organic coconut yoghurt natural.
• Olina’s or Carmen’s simple seed crackers
• Fancy Plants chia pods
• Temole cauliflower or broccoli puffs