What are the kids munching on for lunch?

BY SIOBHAN HOLLIMAN THERE are plenty of new school term resolutions being made at the minute whether it's to start homework half an hour after getting home or recording children's promises not to lose their school jumper again. We're guilty also of having the best intentions when it comes to packing the school lunchbox but within a few weeks, the high aspirations have taken a knocking and it reverts to a sad sandwich, bottle of drink and a mini bar. But it's not easy. A lunchbox returning home with most of the healthy contents untouched is discouraging and groans and moans from the junior pack as you suggest adding a sprig of lettuce or a slice of fruit to the midday menu can leave you deflated, dejected and deciding to just give up. With a fifth of children aged between five and 12 years either overweight or obese, and this is more than a bit of puppy fat, parents have to take control and responsibility as to what children are eating. The HSE West actively encourages schools to develop healthy eating policies in conjunction with parents. St Patrick's National School in Tuam has had such a policy for a number of years and is getting ready to update it over the next number of months. Principal Steve Lane says it is one of the best initiatives the school has undertaken. 'It really is a wonderful thing. It helps parents be assertive about what their children are and aren't allowed to bring to school for lunch,' he remarks. Big offenders like sugary drinks, chocolate bars, sweets and crisps are all kept beyond the school gates and because children know it's a school rule, they don't try and fight it. 'Compliance is almost automatic. All of the children bring a packed lunch and sweets and treats are a no-no,' he adds. Healthy eating tips and information are sent out to more than 500 primary schools in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon by the dietetics service of the HSE West. Lisa Corbett from the Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, HSE West, says the earlier healthy eating habits are encouraged the better and she is encouraged by the number of schools that have implemented healthy eating policies. If anything goes in terms of school lunches peer pressure can take over and children want to copy those who have brought in bars and crisps. 'Healthy eating has to be encouraged at home too and we offer lots of support and advice to parents to help them reduce salt and fat intake, increase fruit and veg consumption and do more physical activity as a family,' she explains. She suggests involving schoolchildren, in primary and secondary, in putting their lunches together and allowing them to make some decision as to what goes in. It appears that parents pay more attention to what goes in a packed lunch for primary school than when the child moves on to secondary school, where the healthy eating habits soon deteriorate at lunchtime. A study of teenage eating habits in Ireland found that one in three teenagers doesn't eat any fruit and 50 per cent eat too much fat. Secondary school pupils are eating too many salt-laden foods and swigging away on sugar-packed fizzy and energy drinks. One survey carried out by a secondary school revealed that over a third of students went to a local shop or take-away for their lunch while three-quarters of parents admitted that they weren't aware of their child's eating habits while at school. Lisa Corbett warns that portion sizes are getting out of control with teenagers munching on large white baguettes packed with fatty fillings such as mayonnaise and bacon. 'A large roll means more filling. The bigger the lunchbox the more likely you are to try and fill it up,' she remarks, pointing out that it's not just what children are eating but how much of it that needs attention too. 'Experiment with different foods and try and make them fun, especially for younger children. Yoghurts are good for calcium but any yoghurt with a corner is a dessert and shouldn't be included. 'Look at the labels and watch out for high-fat and especially high-sugar content. Some yoghurts can range from having one teaspoon of sugar to ten teaspoons of sugar,' adds Lisa. She is adamant that eating healthily doesn't necessarily have to mean a more expensive shopping list and that green-grocers and supermarkets regularly have deals on popular fruits. While the majority of primary schoolchildren remain in school all day, policies vary greatly when it comes to secondary schools and many students are free to go downtown at lunchtime where they tend to buy high fat hot foods, bars, crisps and processed rolls. Irish statistics show that one in five teenagers aged between 13 and 17 years is obese or overweight. Eating habits during the school week can be a significant factor. A hot food canteen introduced at the Mercy Secondary School in Tuam a few years ago continues to be extremely popular with students. The school wanted to provide students with a hot meal at lunchtime because for many it can be a ten to 12 hour day. The canteen is also open in the morning and provides hot drinks, porridge and cereals for students who begin arriving at 7.45 am. The meals are nutritious and home-style cooking with dishes like beef lasagne, chicken casserole and bacon, turnip and mash. The school believes the menu offers the hot meals at very affordable prices and ensures a student gets a proper dinner. The school has also got rid of vending machines filled with high-sugar snacks as well as soft drinks as part of its healthy eating policy. There are a few sweet treats available from the canteen but these are limited and the only drinks available are fruit juices and water. 'It's important that teenagers start learning about healthy eating and make healthier choices whenever possible,' adds Lisa, pointing out that a lot information about nutrition can be picked up at school. She says parents should get more involved in what their teenagers are eating for a school lunch and lobby for vending machines to be removed from schools. Her department has often taken transition year pupils on supermarket tours to explain about different food types, advise them on how to read food labels and encourage them to eat more healthily.   Lisa's healthy lunching tipsâ€Â¢ Read over the food pyramid and ask your child to pick out some favourite foods from each food group.â€Â¢ Have them help you plan a healthy lunchbox.â€Â¢ For young children, make a chart to keep track of all the fruits and vegetables they eat (we need at least five servings of fruits and veggies every day).â€Â¢ Snack time can be more fun if you try different recipes and snack ideas together with your children. Get them to help you in the kitchen.â€Â¢ Make a rule about how many TV or computer hours are allowed and use the extra time to do an activity with your child.â€Â¢ Contact your local Community Nutrition & Dietetic Service for more information on healthy eating for you and your family and how to make little changes for healthier living.â€Â¢ Learn how to read the labels on foods and find out how healthy they really are by attending a free supermarket nutrition tour run by the HSE's Community Nutrition & Dietetic Service in Galway. Help and adviceâ€Â¢ There's lots of information, tips and advice on the website www.littlesteps.eu including a fantastic lunchbox planner that can be tailored for individual children. Try it for yourself at www.littlesteps.eu/?/healthy-eating/lunchbox/.â€Â¢ The Bord Bia website, www.bordbia.ie, has plenty of recipes and ideas not just for school lunches but for healthy evening meals using fresh vegetables also. Take a look at their ideas for nutritious snacks and lunch box fillers in the schools' section.â€Â¢ The Community Nutrition & Dietetic Service, HSE West can be contacted at 091-548335. The team there will help you started on a healthy eating policy in your school, discuss problems such as picky eaters and advise you on how best to get the whole family eating more healthily.â€Â¢ Well-known dietician and nutritionist Paula Mee has a website with useful information on food for young children as well as teenagers. Take a look at her lunch ideas at www.paulamee.com/paulamee/main/Children_Lunchbox_Ideas.htm.