Healthy lunch boxes don't have to be square

There was a time when 'Health Food Mums' were reviled creatures who gave their offspring sweaty packets of celery sticks and warm tubs of natural yoghurt, effectively guaranteeing their child's exclusion from the booming playground barter system that saw cheese sticks traded for space food and wafers upgraded to choc-chip cookies.

The good news for children and retailers alike is that a new breed of health-conscious parents is emerging in the wake of the dietary puritans and super diligent mums to embrace a burgeoning market sector. The 'lunch box filler' aisle traditionally the domain of 'fun-size' chips and chocolate bars, is now being stocked with increasingly natural, organic and healthy options.

With childhood obesity reaching epidemic proportions and the number of children affected by food allergies, intolerances and behavioural disorders on the rise, the contents of children's lunchboxes is attracting due scrutiny. In an ongoing commitment to help people detox their lives, Macro Wholefoods Market has responded to this trend by actively sourcing and stocking a range of snack foods that is appealing to kids, as well as being nutritionally sound - a winning combination!

Pierce Cody, Executive Chairman of Macro Wholefoods, explains, "There used to be this whole perception that it was impossible to get kids to eat healthy food but the problem was more often with the presentation than with the actual food. By creating products that are designed to appeal to children as well as offering convenience to parents, our suppliers are tapping into an extremely lucrative market and offering a necessary alternative."

Macro's range includes the following:

Whole kid range - organic apple juice, organic bars and organic sultanas

Daioni organic flavoured milk

Cobs popcorn

Kettle and Stretch Island organic fruit strips

Balance Water for Kids

In addition to this, they have a huge range of fresh, organic fruit and veggies, as well as a delicious range of salads, wraps and rice paper rolls available from the café.

For parents who love a good bake-up, why not try this recipe

Recipe of the Week:

Muffin Base
200g organic SR flour
1/2 cup organic caster sugar
3/4 cup organic milk
1 organic egg
1 teaspoon organic vanilla essence

Method:
Combine all ingredients and place in muffin trays. Bake at 180 degrees for 20 mins or until brown.
Suggested additions:
Try various combinations of the following:

4 tablespoons of organic cranberries - high in iron and are great for the little ones

1 ½ tablespoons of Macro Almond Meal

1 x chopped organic banana

1 ½ tablespoons of chopped walnuts

½ cup of tinned organic apple

For the latest news on organics please visit the Macro website at www.macrowholefoods.com.au