Research shows that the school environment influences children’s’ attitudes, preferences, and behaviours. In schools children can be reached repetitively and constantly and therefore, schools hold an unrivalled potential for health promoting opportunities that can influence children achieve better health and well-being.
Behaviours for eating and physical activity are established in the early years of life; therefore the adoption of healthy behaviours very early in life through early education must be encouraged since it increases the likelihood that such behaviours will be sustained into adulthood.
The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate has teamed up with the Education Authorities to launch a campaign to encourage healthier lunchboxes. This is one of the implementation measures of the Whole of school approach to healthy lifestyles: healthy eating and physical activity.
A healthy and balanced packed lunch will:
• help students to concentrate at school
• provide students with enough energy required
The lunch should include nutritious foods from the following food groups:
• Cereals, bread, pasta, rice, (preferably wholegrain) and potatoes
• Vegetables, preferably seasonal
• Fruit, preferably seasonal
• Low-fat milk and milk products e.g. low fat cheese (pasteurized cheeselet, mozzarella) or yoghurt (without added sugars)
• Lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds
• Plain water as a drink