Bayswater Secondary Healthy Lunchboxes Session
As adolescents become more independent, they have more autonomy when it comes to food and lifestyle choices.
The Prevention and Population Health team at EACH recognises that providing young people with the chance to practice creating healthy lunchboxes for themselves contributes to their ability to make healthy choices into the future. As such, the team seized the opportunity to deliver a Healthy Lunchboxes workshop at Bayswater Secondary College on Thursday, 4 August.
Sixteen year-7 students, two year-8 students, four year-12 student leaders and two teachers took part in the workshops. The session included a mindful eating activity, where the students were encouraged to tune in to how each of their senses were activated while consuming a piece of chocolate. It also included a discussion about the five food groups and the importance of including a variety of different foods in their diet, without the need for rules and restrictions around food. Finally, the students were invited to have a go at making their own sandwich, roll or wrap creations from a variety of foods from the five food groups. This was a big hit and got the creative juices flowing. During the session, the students snacked on blueberries and baby cucumbers, which were new foods for many.
The session was well-received, despite an initial hesitation from some students around the idea of a healthy eating session. Participants were invited to complete a short survey to help us evaluate the session, and we received responses from seventeen students. The results showed that 47% of students planned to include something new in their lunchbox this term and 59% of students felt confident they could create a healthy lunchbox for themselves. Some students were overheard saying ‘I love the crunch of the carrot’ and ‘Did you try the falafel? It’s actually really good!’
Due to the success of this session, Bayswater Secondary has invited EACH back to deliver a follow-up session in the coming months.
For more information, please contact the Prevention and Population Health team at prevention@each.com.au.