Packed Lunch Guidance

Packed lunches should include:

  • At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day.
  • Meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein(e.g. lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus and falafel) every day
  • Oily fish, such as salmon, at least once every three weeks.
  • A starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day.
  • Dairy food such as semi-skimmed milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard everyday
  • A drink such 100% fruit juice, semi-skimmed milk, yogurt drink or a bottle of water

 Packed lunches should NOT include:

  • Snacks such as crisps.
  • Nuts and nut products (we have a number of children with severe nut allergies in school)
  • Drinks with added sugar, sweeteners, colouring or additives (school will supply water for all children)
  • Confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets.
  • Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages / chipolatas should be included only occasionally.

 Cakes and biscuits are allowed but encourage your child to eat these only as part of a balanced meal which includes a good range of the elements on the ‘should include’ list above.

For some examples please see the Healthy Packed Lunch Leaflet

More information can be found at the following signs:

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