The School Food Trust has responded to new research from Which? showing that giving your child two pre-packed lunchbox products* could add 22g sugar and 1.8g salt to their daily intake - more than a quarter of the recommended sugar intake for a five year old and more than half of their maximum daily salt intake.
Which? also found that adding just a Dairylea Lunchables pack and a Robinsons Fruit Shoot Drink to a child’s lunchbox would add up to £1.86. Latest data from the School Food Trust/LACA shows that the average school meal in England costs around £1.93.
School Food Trust Senior Nutritionist, Patricia Mucavele, said: “Making healthy packed lunches which give children the variety they need in their diet takes a lot of time and effort. Research consistently shows that school meals are the more nutritious option and when you look at how the prices compare, it has to be food for thought for parents wanting to give their children healthy lunches and save time and money this September.”
The Trust has a series of recommended menus for pack lunches which meet the same nutritional standards as primary school meals.
We’ve previously estimated that families wanting to make packed lunches which meet the same nutritional standards as school meals could spend the equivalent of eight days in the kitchen across the school year.
Our research shows that when children eat a healthier lunch in a decent environment, they are more focused and on-task in their afternoon lessons.
- Which? analysis of a Dairylea Lunchables pack and a Robinsons Fruit Shoot Drink. Click for more
