Top Lunchbox Picks

Let's be honest - the snack aisle can be overwhelming. 

If you're trying to make better choices in the aisles, our advice is to turn the packet over and read the back. Look for short ingredient lists you actually recognise plus familiarise yourself with the nutrition table so you can easily compare items on the shelves.

Or for those times you're in a rush, here are 5 of our top lunchbox products that you can add to your trolley to help you swap away from Ultra Processed Foods. You do not need to overhaul the whole trolley overnight but swapping a few lunchbox staples is an easy place to start:

1. Pureharvest Organic Rice Cakes

Just two ingredients - organic whole brown rice at 99% and sea salt. With only 0.3g of sugar per 100g, and 135mg of sodium, these are a blank canvas for whatever the kids love on top. 

2. Farmers Union Greek Style Yoghurt Pouch

Simple ingredients with no added sugar, thickeners or flavours. It does have 6.2g of sugar per 100g, which is naturally occuring, not added sugar, and the sodium is only 55mg per 100g. This is a protein rich option to grab and go. Alternatively, pick up a tub of Greek yoghurt and portion it into the lunchbox yourself to avoid the pouch and the price of a single serve option. 

3. Macro Lentil Bites, Pumpkin

Lentil flour and chickpea flour are the main ingredients in this product but it is also flavoured naturally with pumpkin powder. It is high in fibre at 7.8g per 100g and is low in sugar  at 1.1g per 100g. They come in a handy 6-pack for grab-and-go plus the sodium sits inside the guidelines at 325mg per 100g.

4. La Casa Mozzarella String Cheese

With only four ingredients (pasteurised cows' milk, salt, non-animal rennet and starter culture), these are a good lunchbox protein boost, with 5g of protein per serve.

5. Carman's Fruit Strap

Just apple at 85% and strawberry at 15%. That is it. Yes, the sugar is high at 37.3g per 100g, but it is all naturally occurring from the fruit with no added sugar.

If you compare this to a typical fruit roll-up, which is made with maltodextrin, added sugar and more, you'll see just how simple this swap is.

The Carman's strap gives you the same type of snack but it is made from two simple ingredients instead.

Some bonus options

Ceres Organics Brown Rice Crackers, Chia

Certified organic, with jasmine brown rice at 91.4% and a little added chia. Sugar is very low at 0.8g per 100g and fibre is 5.7g per 100g. Sodium is a little higher than the guidelines at 560mg per 100g but this is common within the cracker category. 

The Happy Snack Company Roasted Fava Beans, Lightly Salted

Three ingredients, and the first is fava beans at 82%. That provides a lot of fibre at 7.4g of fibre per 100g. Sugar is low, and sodium sits under the guidelines at 350mg. A great crunchy swap for a chip.

Want more options? 

There are over 200 lunchbox friendly products in the App, which are all nutritionally reviewed and ranked, so you can compare at a glance and grab the better choice without the guesswork.