Pack a healthy lunch for best start to school year

The message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) for those preparing the packed lunch and snack for break is to steer clear of sugary drinks and snacks high in added sugar, fat and salt, and to remember that children only need kid-sized portions.

Jennifer McBratney, Health and Wellbeing Senior Officer at the PHA, said: “There are many options when choosing what to pack, but picking the healthier option can help with pupils’ concentration and behaviour in the classroom.

“Encouraging children and talking to them about choosing healthier foods, is an important step in establishing good eating habits that will benefit children throughout their lives, helping them to stay a healthy weight.”

Both schools and parents have an important role to play in ensuring children have healthy choices for both breaks and lunches.

Nursery schools, playgroups and primary schools have all received information from the PHA and Safefood on healthy eating in schools.

Jennifer continued: “Young children have a small capacity for food but also have high energy and nutrient requirements. Three daily meals are often not enough to provide all the nutrients they require, therefore healthy snacks between meals are very important. Including fruit and vegetables as snacks for morning break will also help them get their five a day.

“Bread snacks can help meet these extra energy needs so a small roll, pitta bread or bread sticks can be a good inclusion in the lunchbox. Thinly spread the bread with a little margarine, low-fat spread or butter and avoid using sugary spreads like jam, honey and chocolate spread which can be harmful to teeth.”

It’s also important that children drink enough during the day so that they don’t become dehydrated and tired. Water and milk are the most suitable for children, and sugary drinks and fruit juices should be avoided as these can cause tooth decay, especially when taken between meals.

For more information refer to the leaflets Healthy breaks for schools and Healthy breaks for preschools and Are you packing a healthy lunch? at www.publichealthagency.org/publications.