During our health & wellbeing week in the summer term of last year, children across the school used the Change for Life food scanner app to learn about making healthy choices for lunches and snacks.  Children who eat our school meals, automatically receive a nutritionally balanced, delicious and healthy meal, but when we analysed packed lunches in summer term, we found that only 1% of them met the nutritional guidelines.  Most of our children’s packed lunches contain too much sugar and fat and don’t include all of the healthy items that are recommended by the Eat Well guidance.  Nutritionally balanced packed lunches should include the following:   

• One portion of starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes, bread, rice or pasta 
• At least one portion of fruit and vegetables
• One portion of dairy such as cheese, yogurt or fromage frais
• One portion of protein such as beans, fish, eggs, meat within the sandwich/wrap/pasta.
• Water or plain milk
• One small treat such as popcorn, baked crisps or a plain biscuit

Healthy school lunches are going to be a School Council project for the 2018-19 academic year.  As part of the project, we will be sending home advice to parents/carers and working with children to make healthier choices.  We will keep you updated with our progress throughout the year. 

 Remember that children in Reception, Y1 & Y2 receive Universal Free School Meals and we are  happy for children to have a mixed meal pattern of school meals and packed lunches.  The current menus are on the website  If you would like your child to eat school dinners, please see the office.