The struggle to find something nutritious that kids will eat to fill their lunchboxes every day can sometimes be overwhelming. Nicole Matthews gleans some tips to make the whole process a bit easier this year
All schoolchildren have now gone back to school, marking the end of the annual break from preparing packed lunches for them.
Most parents strive to give their children a healthy and balanced diet but the inevitable rush to pack them off in the morning can often lead to taking easier options, such as giving them fizzy drink and treats to eat.
Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of human health and nutrition for the Food Safety Promotion Board, says the ideal lunchbox is all about balance and variety and that children should be consulted on what should be included.
"The evidence is very clear that for primary schoolchildren what they consume in school depends on what they are given from home so it is critical for it to start at home," says Foley-Nolan.
Although the Government has introduced a healthy eating initiative which gives tips on how schools can encourage a balanced diet, nutritionist Margot Brennan, of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (Indi), feels that this falls short in meeting objectives.
"We were disappointed that the Minister for Education did not make it mandatory, as the one thing we want to introduce is a healthy eating policy in schools across the board as it makes it much easier for parents," says Brennan.
Currently, healthy eating policies occur in schools on an ad hoc basis. However, results are better when parents and schools work together, according to Philip Mudge, National Parents Council.
"If parents try to implement a healthy eating policy without telling the school, it's hard and vice versa, there needs to be a communication between the two.
"My children are in primary school in Limerick where there is a healthy eating policy and treats are only allowed once a week which makes it easier for us," says Mudge.
Foley-Nolan agrees: "School and home need to be working together, they both tend to blame each other but what is needed is co-operation."
The Indi believes another worrying trend is how schools are being approached by companies to market new products to the children through sponsorship and other initiatives.
"Parents need to be involved in bringing in a policy to get rid of this and there is a need to look at the school in overall terms of exercise, eating habits, sponsorship and branding," says Brennan.
The Food Safety Promotion Board says although parents are much more aware nowadays about healthy eating, making a change in eating habits in the house requires a proactive approach from the entire family.
"It's a bit like January 1st where people decide to put their best foot forward. You need to sit down and have a bit of a family chat about what the shopping list is going to be like and prepare in advance around your schedule," says Foley-Nolan.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan's announcement of providing free fridges for schools and flavoured milk has been welcomed. This is because one-third of children are not getting enough milk, according to the National Children's Survey.
While treat foods are not completely outlawed, certain food types are better than others in moderation.
"Lunchboxes are not dumpboxes. A small amount of treat foods can be included, in line with school rules, maybe once a week.
"Ideally these should be homemade or something like chocolate-covered raisins, try to avoid processed sweet treats at all costs," says Foley-Nolan.
Children should also be encouraged to bring everything home that they don't eat so parents can find out why they don't like it so they are not continually throwing away certain food items.
It is also important for children to eat breakfast and parents should try to avoid sugared cereals and instead buy cereal high in fibre and low in sugar.
Parents are also encouraged to think in advance about how practical a child's lunch is, if it looks unappealing to you, it probably is.
"Things should be as easy as possible for a child as lunch is something to eat down quickly so that they can spend more time playing. While pasta and rice is good for them, if it includes a fork that's difficult to use, the child will give up on it," says Foley-Nolan.