Your bag's packed, you're looking mighty fine in your uniform and you're ready to tackle the school day. But what about your lunch? Follow our tips to a healthier school week.
Rise and shine
Getting up that extra 10 minutes early to pack a tasty, healthy lunch means that 1) you won't just grab pre-packaged sweets and snacks on your way out the door, and 2) you won't be tempted to hit up the junk food at the canteen.
Sandwiches
A good ol' sandwich is always a safe choice when it comes to school lunches. But try and be creative with fillings so that you don't go throwing your sanger in the bin at lunch time in favour of a sausage roll at the tuck shop.
To build the ideal healthy sandwich you just need low-fat fillings such as lean meats like ham, turkey or chicken breast, cottage cheese, mozzarella, salads or fish like tuna or salmon. If you can, try to go without butter or margarine and avoid mayonnaise. And converting to wholemeal or multi grain bread makes all the difference. White bread is filled with so many preservatives and bleaches that it’s really good for nothing.
Tasty snacks
A packet of chips, a mini chocolate bar and some biscuits; sounds tasty right? But these foods will do little to keep your energy levels up for the rest of the day and even less for your waistline. Instead, try packing healthy snacks like plain popcorn, mixed seeds and raw nuts, dried fruits (without added sugar) and fresh fruit.
If you want to get a bit exotic with your choices, try some pita bread or vegetable sticks with hummus dip. Or, low-fat cheese and tomato on whole-wheat crackers always makes a tasty combo. And for something sweet, try natural yoghurt, scones or fruit bread.
Drinks
Keeping hydrated throughout the day is super important. Carry a water bottle around with you and continuously re-fill it. Steer clear of fizzy drinks and high-energy drinks. Go for unsweetened fruit juice instead, or stick to water.
