As part of the drive to achieve National Healthy Schools Status for all schools in Telford and Wrekin, guidance is being given to parents and carers on providing healthier packed lunches for children and a local primary school recently worked with parents and children to promote healthier lunchboxes.  School Nutritional Action Groups are monitoring lunchboxes and have their own reward schemes in place.

What should be in your packed lunch?

Packed lunches should include:

• at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day.
• meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (eg lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus, peanut butter and falafel) every day.
• oily fish, such as salmon, at least once every three weeks.
• a starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day.
• dairy food such as milk, cheese yoghurt, fromage frais or custard everyday.
• only water, still or sparkling, fruit juice, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, yoghurt or milk drinks and smoothies.

Packed lunches should not include:

• snacks such as crisps.  Instead, include nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added salt, sugar or fat).  Savoury crackers or breadsticks served with fruit, vegetables or dairy food are also a good choice.
• confectionary such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets.  Cakes and biscuits are allowed but encourage your child to eat these only as part of a balanced meal.
• meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages/chipolatas.  These should be included only occasionally.

Special diets and allergies

Be aware of nut allergies.  We recommend you visit the www.allergyinschools.co.uk website for accurate, reliable information on managing allergies in schools.