Dairy council urges parents to do homework on school lunches

PARENTS who do their homework on the school lunch are helping to boost their child’s performance in class, according to the National Dairy Council (NDC).

Preparation is the key according to the NDC, which is urging parents to get the school lunch ready the night before.

Parents are also advised to plan lunches in advance and encourage children to help choose and prepare food.

The NDC recommends that parents ensure that their child has a good breakfast because it can also help children concentrate for longer, have more energy and maintain a healthy body weight.

Breakfast can be convenient and quick. Cereal with milk is ideal, not only by providing energy, vitamins and minerals, but also calcium for growing bones, the council advises.

Another recommended tasty and nutritional options include a toasted bagel with cheese, fruit salad with yoghurt or toast with jam and orange juice.

It is also advised that children be sent to school each day with a nutritious mid- morning snack, such as yoghurt, plain popcorn or a scone with butter.

Many schools now participate in the school milk scheme that can provide a child with one-third of their calcium needs.

Also, school milk is now available in different flavours from many dairies who are happy to provide details of how to join.

The NDC recommends that milk and water should be the drinks of choice because they are kind to teeth and bones.

Parents should also make an effort to minimise fizzy drinks in their child’s diet. Such drinks are often high in sugar and tend to displace healthier drinks.

The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) recommends including the following food portions in a child’s lunchbox — one serving of red meat, chicken or fish; one serving of milk, cheese or yoghurt; two servings of fruit and vegetables and two or more servings of bread or cereals.

* Parents who want to brush up on lunchbox ideas can apply for a free Healthy Eats for Midday Feasts booklet by sending their name and address on a postcard marked ‘Healthy Eats’ to the National Dairy Council, 28 Westland Square, Dublin 2 or by emailing to [e-mail].