Healthy lunch essential for kids

[Posted: Mon 01/09/2008 by Deborah Condon]

Many parents are not aware of the importance of lunch for their children or are confused about what to pack in their child’s lunchbox, the Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF) has said.

It is advising parents to become familiar with the latest information on food nutrition and to realise the importance of school lunches in the fight against obesity and nutrient insufficiency.

“Packing your children’s lunches for school is a great way for you to monitor the nutritional content of their meals and for your child to learn about healthy food and help with preparation,” explained NHF manager, Dr Muireann Cullen.

She pointed out that even though lunch seems like a small meal, by introducing a variety of delicious healthy foods to your children, ‘you will be helping to establish healthy eating patterns that will last for a lifetime’.

Dr Cullen noted that sometimes, children do not want to bring their own lunch to school because their friends do not bring one.

“For parents, it can be a struggle to balance the health needs of their children with cost and convenience. Kids, on the other hand, want a lunch that is appealing, tastes good, is quick and easy to eat and has the stamp of approval from their friends,” she said.

With so much to consider, creating a healthy lunchbox can be easier said than done, Dr Cullen acknowledged.

“Before you start stocking up on snacks and drinks for the kids’ school lunches, it might benefit the whole family if you get into the habit of using the food pyramid and reading food labels while grocery shopping,” Dr Cullen said.

More information  on food labels and the food pyramid is available on the NHF’s website at…http://www.nhfireland.ie

The NHF also offers the following tips to help create a healthy lunchbox:

-Use bagels, rolls, pitta pockets and wraps, in addition to bread, for variety. Pasta, noodles, potatoes and couscous are also good sources of carbohydrates. Choose the multigrain/wholemeal/wholegrain option to help increase fibre intake.

-Aim to have at least one piece of fruit or vegetable in the lunchbox, to count towards your child’s five fruit and vegetable portions a day.

-In addition to lean cuts of ham, beef, chicken or turkey, tuna and egg salads are also great sources of proteins and vitamins.

-Yoghurt, yoghurt drinks, fromage frais, small cartons of milk, including flavoured milk, and cheese all provide plenty of calcium.

-When it comes to drinks, milk is highly recommended. Water is also a good option.

-Keep treats as treats. They are not as filling as more nutritious foods of similar energy content.

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