Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

A recent survey by the Food Standards Agency found 9 out of 10 lunchboxes failed to meet the Governments standards for school lunches.

Use this checklist together with ideas from the facts sheets below to make sure your lunch box is tasty and nutritious.

Your 6-point checklist for making a healthy lunchbox
 

1. Have you got something from the BREAD, RICE, POTATOES, PASTA AND OTHER STARCHY FOODS group?

Ideas: Wholemeal, multigrain or white bread and rolls, Pitta bread, Bagel, French stick, Tortilla wraps, Pasta, rice or cous cous salads, English muffins, Fruit scones, Currant buns, Fruit bread, Malt loaf, Crispbreads and crackers.

2. Have you got something from the FRUIT & VEGETABLES group?

Ideas: Salad in a sandwich and rolls. Cherry tomatoes, Cucumber sticks, Carrot (grated or sticks), Apples, Pears, Satsumas, Bananas, Grapes, Melon, Kiwi, Plums, Canned fruit pieces in natural juice, Raisins, Dried apricots, Fruit smoothies and Pure fruit juices.

3. Have you got something from the MEAT, FISH, EGGS AND BEANS, AND OTHER NON-DAIRY SOURCES OF PROTEIN group?

Examples: Chicken and turkey, ham, boiled eggs, canned tuna and salmon, prawns, hummous, peanut butter and mixed nuts (check with your school about bringing nuts in first).

4. Have you got something form the MILK AND DAIRY FOODS group?

Ideas: Milk, Cheese (cheddar, edam, cheese triangles, low fat soft cheese), Cottage cheese with pineapple chunks, Fruit yoghurt, Fromage frais, Drinking yoghurt, Pot of rice pudding.

5. Have you got a DRINK?

Ideas: Water, Milk, Drinking yoghurt, Pure fruit juice, Smoothie

6. Foods from the FATTY AND SUGARY FOOD group should be added in small amounts or as occasional treats.

British Dietetic Association: Pack a Healthy Lunch http://www.bda.uk.com/Downloads/Junefoodfacts1.pdf

Eatwell! – A months worth of packed lunch ideas to download
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/children/yrchild/#cat218513
Click here for more healthy lunch box ideas from the British Nutrition Foundation