New research from Lidl Ireland has unwrapped the contents of kid’s school lunchboxes to reveal that less healthy treats such as chocolate, crisps, sweets and biscuits feature for most pupils (56%) as the main afternoon snack, with nearly 1 in 4 parents (39%) saying they struggle to get their child to eat a healthier alternative.
For parents of secondary students, the struggle to pack in nutritious options is even greater, with almost half (49%) admitting it hard to squeeze in the good stuff.
When it comes to the all-important afternoon snack, 44% of parents say they actively try to provide a different snack every day, whilst 83% say that if they find something healthy that their child will eat, they tend to incorporate that as much as possible into the lunchbox.
The research, conducted by RED C, was commissioned by Lidl Ireland ahead of the back-to-school rush to uncover the attitudes and behaviours of parents towards their children’s eating habits and to identify the struggles parents face when trying to prepare healthy and nutritious food for their children.
With the afternoon snack featuring as a staple item in kid’s lunch boxes across the country, Ireland’s leading discount retailer Lidl Ireland has partnered with registered dietitian Orla Walsh to support parents preparing for back to school.
Commenting on Lidl Ireland’s research findings, registered dietitian Orla Walsh said:
“We all know how hard it can be for parents to get kids to eat nutritious foods, especially when they’re in school, but this new research from Lidl Ireland really unwraps some less healthy habits that can easily creep in when preparing lunch boxes, with over half of parents in Ireland adding in less nutritious options which can often contain high levels of sugar, causing that afternoon slump feeling we can all experience at times.
Snacking has become an increasingly important way of ensuring that kids get the nutrients they need to be at their best when learning in school. In fact, many people don’t realise that a single healthy snack can provide many key nutrients a child needs to properly fuel their bodies and their brains throughout the school day. With biohacking becoming a big trend, small and incremental changes to the lunchbox can really help, optimise what our kids are eating and when, to match their nutritional needs. Swapping out the less healthy options for nutritious and affordable snacks is a great step to better overall wellbeing.”
According to the research, price of healthy snack alternatives is one of the biggest barriers perceived by parents. Over half (52%) say they would love to be able to afford healthy snacks to give to their child every day, but find the prices are too high and 45% of parents admit to opting for a treat over a healthier alternative because they are cheaper. Almost a third of parents (29%) have tried in the past to provide healthy snacks but found it too expensive to continue providing every day.
Ahead of school starting, Lidl Ireland has teamed up with Orla Walsh to provide a shopping list of top five afternoon snack superfoods to fuel brain and body and give kids a nutritional boost towards the end of a long day of learning.
1. There goes the bell… peppers!
Bell peppers really are top of the class when it comes to nutrition. Did you know… just one serving of pepper provides your daily recommended intake of Vitamin C? Vitamin C and folate support the normal function of the immune system and contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue so they’re ideal foods for overall body and brain health. Not only do they add colour, flavour and a fun crunch, but they’re naturally fat free, low calorie and high in fibre – a real hero!
2. Go bananas
When you think of high-energy snack foods, bananas are likely one of the first things that come to mind. They can be eaten alone or as part of other meals and make a super portable snack for kids to take to school. Eating a banana at break time will provide kids with a bunch of nutrients like carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and potassium.
3. Avo some fun!
Avocados are known for their health benefits providing healthy fats, fibre, potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin B3, B5, B6 and B9. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity while potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system which is important for growing bodies. Slice it or smash it – it’s a superbly fun addition to the lunchbox!
4. Take a lesson in Greek
Greek yogurt packs a powerful nutritional punch. Its high protein levels make it a great choice for healthy snacking as protein, as well as the calcium it provides, is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. Protein also contributes to growth in muscle mass so a great boost for growing kids!
5. Oats so simple
Packed with carbohydrates, wholegrains provide energy to fuel the brain and our movement. Oats also provide beta-glucans have been shown to lower blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. A ready-made oat bar is a great alternative to chocolate or why not add raw oats to Greek yoghurt with some fruit for a sweet tasting treat.
“These five superfood snacks really are the heroes of the lunchbox and great alternatives for parents to ensure they’re packing as much nutrition into their kid’s day as possible. Best of all, with these affordable hacks, price doesn’t have to be a barrier. Lidl Ireland shoppers can pick up these afternoon snacks for the week for just €3.28, ensuring healthy and nutritious food is accessible to everyone”, said Orla Walsh.
Lidl Ireland has back to school all boxed up this year with its 3 for 2 offers on lunchtime staples including ham, cheese, cooked meats, bread and bagels and special offers across its range of lunchbox fillers such as cream crackers, protein and granola bars as well as Lidl’s everyday super savers across fresh fruit and vegetables.
Lidl Ireland’s back-to-school range is available now across the retailer’s 186 stores nationwide while stocks last, featuring huge savings across grocery items, school uniforms, and all back-to-school essentials such as school bags, pencil cases and lots more.
For more information, please visit lidl.ie
