Does your menu change when winter rolls around? The cooler weather provides a great opportunity to add some different meals into your menu that will warm children up after being in the cold. It is also a time to take stock and make sure nutrition intake is being optimised to boost immunity to fight off colds and flu.

Here are some ideas to adjust your menu for the cooler winter months.

• Foods that are in season have higher nutritional value and are cheaper. Look at your menu and see if any swaps can be made for winter fruit or vegetables that are in season.
• Serve foods that are rich in Vitamin C to boost immunity. Foods like tomatoes, red capsicum, sweet potato and citrus are all good sources of Vitamin C.
• Serve warm stewed fruit as a snack with yoghurt or unsweetened homemade custard.
• Make some roast sweet potato chips to serve with dips for a snack.
• A warming rice pudding as a snack will provide both grains and dairy. Omit sugar from the recipe, flavour with vanilla or cinnamon, and serve with some stewed fruit for sweetness.
• Offer vegetables either steamed or roasted as a side with main meals.
• Warming meals such as stews, casseroles, hearty soups and baked dishes can be packed full of vegetables and require minimum preparation when slow cooked in the oven.