School Food Trust Nutritionist, Jo Nicholas, said: “This is another reminder of why the National School Food Standards and our forthcoming national, voluntary guidelines on healthy food and drink for early year’s settings have never been so important.
“Schools using the national standards don’t offer crisps, chocolate or sweets to children, and have well-balanced lunch menus where the average meal gives children the energy and essential nutrients they need. Their menus encourage children to try different foods rather than having the same thing every single day – another important part of a good diet for children.
“But packed lunches are also part of this picture – and all the evidence shows that the average lunchbox is still far less healthy than a typical school meal. Research suggests that only 1% of packed lunches would meet the same standards as school meals, while our own national study found that primary school children having packed lunches eat less fruit and vegetables and often have foods in their lunchboxes which can’t be served on school menus any more, like crisps and chocolate bars.”
Chairman, Rob Rees, said: “There are simple things which can make a huge difference. We have to start early – support nurseries, children’s centres and other providers of childcare to offer balanced menus, encouraging children to try lots of different foods and to eat together. We have to help families with young children to develop the skills they need to cook healthy meals, from scratch, at home.
