School dinners are an important part of the food you eat every day and we learn to make healthy choices in the dining hall. Remembering the following will help you make good choices.
- You have a lot of control over what you eat at school.
- Choose sensibly and eat a mixture of healthy food that tastes good and keeps you fit.
- Choosing well helps you to learn good eating habits.
- A healthy lunch gives you the energy to concentrate better and learn more.
- A good meal at lunchtime stops you wanting to snack later.
- When you have school dinners, relax and enjoy the company of your friends.
- Find out the menu the day before. Knowing what’s for lunch help you make good choices.
- Try choosing different foods that you haven’t had before, to see how they taste.
- Ask your dinner ladies to have tasting sessions that give you the chance to do this.
What does a healthy lunch look like?
A healthy lunch is a balanced meal, which means it includes a mixture of different food groups.
- Starchy carbohydrates fill you up and give you energy. These include bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and cereals.
- Fruit and vegetables are packed with vitamins and fibre. It’s a good idea to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables every day, so try to eat at least two at lunchtime – for example, carrots with your lunch and an apple afterwards.
- Protein can be found in meat, fish, chicken and eggs. It can also be found in beans, nuts and grains. These foods help you grow and help your body stay in good condition.
- Milk and dairy foods, including cheese, yogurt and fromage frais, help to provide you with calcium, which keeps your bones and teeth strong.
- Fats and sugars, including butter, sweets, crisps, biscuits and cakes, can make you fat, rot your teeth and make you unhealthy if you eat too much. Only eat these in small amounts or as a treat now and again.
- Drinks - you should always have a drink with your lunch. Try to drink milk or water.
Think carefully when choosing your lunch. Make sure you‘ve got the balance right – and above all enjoy your food!
Useful web links
- Food Fitness
Meet the Activater and Dolittle families who will give you lots of good advice for a healthy lifestyle and tips on how to improve diet and fitness. - Water is Cool in School
Find out why drinking water is important and get posters, stickers and other campaign items for your school.
