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Healthy eating communications corner
The Healthy Eating Communication Corner provides ready-to-use newsletter content, social media posts, key messages, graphics and resources for you to use to promote evidence-based healthy eating messages. All of the content can be copied or modified for use in your communications to clients and your organization.

Newsletter 
Fuel your day! Packing healthy snacks and lunches.

Packing healthy meals and snacks is one important way to get the nutrients you and your family need while saving time and money.
  • Save time by planning meals and snacks ahead of time and by using leftovers from other meals you have prepared for your family.
  • Wash and cut vegetables and fruit ahead of time so they are easy to pack on the go!
  • Keep hot food hot and cold food cold to prevent food borne illness. This can be done by packing freezer packs or frozen water bottles in an insulated bag and by keeping hot food in a thermos. Fill the thermos with hot water and drain it before adding the hot food.
  • Pack your meals and snacks with reusable containers to cut down on waste. Remember to wash your bag, containers, cutlery and water bottles each time you use them!

Social Media
  1. Think outside the sandwich! Get creative when choosing items for packed snacks and lunches. #healthyeating https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/resources/Documents/KidsLunches.pdf
  2. Looking for fresh meal ideas to keep you energized all day long? Check out this recipe book #healthyeating https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/resources/Documents/Healthy_Eating_Recipe_Book.pdf
  3. Reduce waste and keep your food safe on the go by using reusable containers, an insulated lunch bag and a freezer pack or frozen water bottle. Get more food safety tips here #litterlesslunch: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/food-safety.aspx 
  4. When packing snacks, think of them as a “mini meal” that include two of the three food groupings recommended in Canada’s food guide. Get more healthy snacking tips here #healthyeating: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/tips-for-healthy-eating/healthy-snacks/
  5. Half of what you eat each day should be vegetables and fruits! Remember to include seasonal varieties! #healthyeating https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide
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Key Messages 
Benefits of packing a healthy lunch:
  • Packing healthy meals and snacks is a budget friendly way to get the nutrients you need to fuel your day!
Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunch:
  • Save time by using leftovers from other meals to create tasty meals and snacks.
  • Packing snacks and meals in reusable containers cuts down on waste.
  • Keep food safe by putting cold food in an insulated lunch bag with a freezer pack or frozen water bottle. Keep hot food safe by filling a thermos with hot water and draining it before filling it with hot food.
  • Practice food safety by washing lunch bags, containers, water bottles and cutlery each time you use them.

Resource Spotlight
  1. The Balanced School Lunches Kit: This kit provides food models that can be used to show examples of healthy lunches as well as containers and lunch bags to keep food safe! This kit is a good teaching tool for parents who are sending children to school for the first time. It can also be used to teach children how to pack their own healthy meals. You can request this kit by emailing the Resource Library or submitting an online request.
     
  2. School Lunch Your Kids Will Munch: This handout provides ideas and instructions for packing a tasty and healthy lunch.
The Public Health Resource Library has many pamphlets, activities, games, food models and posters that you can borrow to help educate your clients on healthy eating.
Archived issues of this newsletter can be accessed on our Healthy Eating page. Please share this newsletter with your contacts who would be interested in promoting healthy eating. They can sign up here: http://bit.ly/KitSignup
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This newsletter was created by the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services, Healthy Living Division. If you have a question or an idea for this newsletter, please send us an email. 

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