Why should we be interested in what is in your child’s packed lunch box?

There is a proven link between good nutrition and academic achievement.  When children eat a balanced diet they find it easier to concentrate in the classroom and their behaviour is significantly improved.  We firmly beleive that healthy habits learned in primary school will lead to healthier lifestyles in adulthood. 

Following Jamie Oliver’s high profile campaign to improve the quality of school dinners, the Government has introduced strict nutritional standards which ensure that every child eating a school dinner gets a healthy balanced meal, low in sugar, fat and salt and free from unnecessary additives. 

These improvements are often not reflected in the nutritional quality of packed lunches, with chocolate bars, sweets and processed foods all too often in evidence.  As a ‘Healthy School’, we have to consider how we can ensure greater consistency between the quality of the food cooked and served in school and the quality of that brought in from home. 

We also aim to ensure that our pupils have a healthy snack at tuck time.  All Infants children receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable during the morning break, and all pupils, parents and carers should be aware that chocolate and sweets are not allowed for tuck. 

Our Parents’ Views

Last term we asked for parents’ views about whether the school should be setting guidelines or giving advice about what children bring in to school for lunch or tuck.  There was an overwhelming feeling amongst those parents that responded that advice would be welcomed. 

So, just what do you give your child in their lunch box that is both appetising and healthy?

We have found a few links packed full of ideas and information about healthy eating, including recipe tips and ideas for nutritious yet appealing packed lunches. 

http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/content.asp?ContentId=505

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/children/lunchboxsect/lunchboxtips/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mostof_childrenlunchbox.shtml

http://www.healthylunchbox.co.uk/

http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/activity.aspx?siteid=3&sectionid=37&contentid=56