So we're back in the swing of the new school/child care year and if you're stuck for a few lunchbox ideas, That Dairy Snack's Dietitian, Michelle Gale, offers her tips for creating the ultimate lunchbox.

VARIETY is very important; add different items to the lunch box from day to day, making sure you include food from all the food groups daily. This includes:

• Carbohydrates which provide energy for the brain and body e.g. bread (sandwich), pasta, noodles, rice, potatoes
• Protein for muscles and growth e.g. meat, fish, beans/legumes, eggs, nuts, cheese
• Dairy provides calcium for strong bones and teeth e.g. milk, yoghurt, cheese (& That! Dairy Snack)
• Fruit for fibre, vitamins and minerals e.g. whole fruit, chopped fruit, tinned fruit, dried fruit
• Vegetables for fibre, vitamins and minerals e.g. vegetables in a sandwich/pasta/rice, chopped vegetables on the side;

COOL - it is imperative that food is kept cool. The best ways to do this are by:

• Using an insulated lunchbox
• Preparing the lunchbox the night before and storing it in the fridge
• Including a frozen water bottle, or even a frozen dairy snack especially during the summer months;

AMOUNT - tailor the amount of food based on your child's age & scheduled activities.

WATER is best to drink, so be sure to pop a fun and colourful water bottle in the lunchbox.

Don't forget – NO NUTS. Schools and child care services are nut free zones.

Michelle's three lunchbox ideas for the new school year:

Lunchbox 1

• Tuna sandwich with wholemeal bread, lettuce and mayonnaise
• Carrot and celery sticks
• Apple
• Tub of reduced-fat yoghurt
• Water bottle

Lunchbox 2

• Roast chicken wrap with lettuce, grated carrot and avocado
• Chopped watermelon and pineapple
• That! Dairy Snack
• Homemade trail mix: nuts, dried apricot, cereal bits (e.g. mini wheats)
• Water bottle

Lunchbox 3

• Fried rice with ham and chopped vegetables (can be leftovers from the night before)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Banana
• That! Dairy Snack
• Water bottle

That! Dairy Snack is a guilt-free, gluten free treat that kids love. Each pack contains as much calcium as a 125ml glass of milk; that's 20% of the calcium children need each day to develop strong and healthy bones.

Although it's always recommended, That! Dairy Snack requires no refrigeration, ensuring it can be stored safely in the school bag and lunchbox even when it starts to get a bit warm.

Available in Wild Chocolate and Cool Bananas flavours, That! Dairy Snack from Woolworths nationally (in the long life juice aisle). RRP $1.89. For more information, visit www.thatdairysnack.com.au.

THAT! DAIRY SNACK is offering three packs of goodies. The packs, valued at $50 each will contain a minimum of 24 units of That! Dairy Snack (RRP is $1.89 per unit) plus branded stickers and temporary tattoos.