PHA Issues Advice For A Healthy School Lunch

The Public Healthy Agency has issued a series of tips for packing a healthy and nutritious lunchbox to coincide with the beginning of a new school year.

"Recent surveys looking at children's lunchboxes found that they were too high in fat, especially saturated fat, salt and sugar," said Judith Hanvey, Regional Food in Schools Coordinator, appointed jointly by the PHA and the Department of Education.

"Just under half of lunchboxes contained no fruit. It is important to include a balanced variety of foods in a packed lunch, so that your child can get all the nutrients they need. Avoid fizzy drinks and snacks high in added fat, salt and sugars, and remember that kids only need child-sized portions of food."

A PHA leaflet 'Are you packing a healthy lunch' has been published with lots of advice and lunchbox ideas. An online version is available here.

"There are lots foods available in our supermarkets that are marketed for lunchboxes such as processed fruit snacks, squeezy yogurts, yogurt on sticks and cereal /muesli bars. However these are often high in fat, salt and sugars," Ms Hanvey added.

"It can be confusing, but picking the healthier option isn’t just good for nourishment, it can also help with pupils' concentration and behaviour in the classroom."

The following ideas may be useful for parents lacking lunchbox inspiration:

• Bagel with tuna, sweetcorn and low fat mayo. Fresh fruit chopped into plain yogurt. Water.

• Soda bread pizza with tomato and cheese. Vegetable sticks with hummus. Small fruit smoothie.

• Roast beef, lettuce and tomato roll. Fruit salad. Plain yogurt. Water.

• Rice salad with salmon and vegetables. Kiwi Fruit. Milk.

• Crackers, cheese and chopped cherry tomatoes. Slice of plain cake. Berry fruit pot. Water.

• Ham and vegetable pasta. Chopped grapes. Plain yogurt. Unsweetened small fruit juice.

• Cheese and salad in pitta bread. Banana. Plain yogurt. Water.

• Egg and onion sandwich. Carrot sticks. Fruit pot. Milk.

• Chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion and low fat mayo wrap. Chopped grapes. Pot of low-sugar custard. Water.

• Vegetable soup and wheaten bread. Apple. Milk.

Fruit juice and smoothies should be limited to a total of 150ml a day.

Ms Hanvey added: "Involve your kids in making up their lunch.

"Picking healthier foods is an important step in establishing good eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives, helping them to stay at a healthy weight."



(JG/MH)