There are plenty of ways to make lunchboxes healthier – and still give them a lunch they’ll love. Follow our top tips for powering them through the day.
Keep them warm
On cold days make a flask of homemade soup, such as tomato or chicken and sweetcorn, thickened with lentils or barley.
Make eating fruit fun
Make a fruit kebab with a variety of pieces threaded on a stick, or create an exotic fruit salad.
Sweeten them up
Choose mini packs of raisins or dried fruit like figs, apricots or bananas.
Choose child-friendly veg
Kids love sticks of raw carrot, celery and cucumber, cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas, which have a natural sweetness.
Serve a tasty salad
Swap sandwiches for a carbohydrate-packed salad. Try rice, pasta or couscous with tuna and avocado or chicken and sweetcorn.
Think about drinks
Keep active children hydrated by packing a bottle of water or unsweetened fruit juice.
Vary their dairy
Boost your child’s calcium intake with milk or yogurt drinks. Kids under five must have whole milk, but older children can have semi-skinned products.
Information from the Food Standards Agency
