Snacks by the book: Eight school lunchbox treats put to the test
IT’S difficult to provide an enticing lunchbox that will be eaten completely by young children. More often than not, the ‘healthier’ options are left to become squidgy and inedible later.
Small bites seems to be the secret, and good variety.
For those who have a good breakfast (key to a day full of energy) and in school until 12.30pm, there is no point is trying to provide a full spectrum of nourishing foods. The best option is to focus on building good eating habits from the start.
Avoid salty and sugary foods entirely and send them off with a small sandwich (made from less salty decent bread, ideally sliced sourdough from a bakery) and a piece of fruit. Stick to water to drink — sugary drinks and foods are detrimental to tooth health, as indeed are milk, fruit juices and cordials. Get them into the routine of drinking water after each snack.
If your child is starting junior infants check school policies for what types of snacks are allowed. Commendably, some ban nuts or sweets, others allow treats on Fridays only.
We looked at low-sugar and salt treats to see if any were worthwhile.
To avoid plastic, Hanna’s Bee-Wraps made from cotton coated in beeswax, jojoba oil and pine resin are reusable sandwich wrappings (€16.50 for three). From Quay Co-Op, Cork.
These four pots, flavoured with 9% strawberry purée were already a regular of a few of our tasters. With 5.9% protein, a pot will stave off hunger for an hour or so, and have low enough sugars at 9% not to taste over-sweet. All tasters liked them. Good nourishment helps to balance sugars. Encourage water afterwards.
9
With 39% rolled oats, margarine, chocolate chips (there are other flavours), sugars, desiccated coconut and oat flour, these substantial Irish-made snacks were loved by all tasters. Sugars at 22% are high enough, but there is 5.8% protein to give some sustenance and 5% fibre which offsets them a little. In six individual packs, they are for occasional treats. Flapjacks are easily made at home, but will still have a lot of sugar.
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Packs contain four 15g bags — the cheese and onion flavour pleased all tasters who liked them almost as much as regular, much saltier crisps. Here we have 0.09% salt (0.01g per bag) which is very good, with low sugars at 3.3%. Protein at 20% is good too. No additives but the catch is they are expensive.
8.25
Corn and rice cakes are good options for kids, especially plain. Our seven-year-old shopper chose these, but at least one taster liked the plain (cheaper) version more. SuperValu ownbrand plain are €1.29 for 110g. Protein at 7.4% is fair. Avoid sugar-topped versions, even with sugar-laden yogurt which sound healthy. Add cherry tomato to accompany. Made in Co Kildare.
7.75
Good for fibre at 10.5% and with 10.2% protein, this is a useful wholefood. The catch is, we must pop it ourselves — get the children involved — for it to remain a ‘healthy’ food. Add salt or sugar and we undo all the good. For a change, sprinkle with grated cheese while warm. Packaged in Dublin.
9.5
Many children like taking cooked pasta to school, but often with a drizzle of pesto which can be messy. These half-moon shapes are filled with tomato, mozzarella and mascarpone, providing nice contrast with the bland pasta. Easy to hold, they are good for all ages. Satisfying with 13.9% protein. Salt at 1.33% is high enough so keep the rest of lunch salt-free for younger children and avoid after a salty breakfast, such as sausages or rashers.
8.75
Four raw fruit and nut bars are an example of natural fruit and nuts together in bars which appealed to all tasters. 49% dates, 31% cashews, 17% raisins and 3% raspberries are a good blend. Sugars are high, but natural and not oversweet, and protein of 8.6% will sustain for a few hours. Very little salt. Expensive for a large family, but an idea of what could be made at home with dried raspberries or cranberries. The nuts can be left out if against school policy.
7
Five 20g bags of paw-shaped jellies are better than sweets where additives are concerned. With no salt, 37.8% sugars come from the fruit, in this version apples, pears, blackcurrants and some spirulina (a type of algae). Low in protein and with high sugars, a drink of water afterwards is essential for tooth health. For treats only.
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