The School Food Trust has just released information that three quarters of school children are now taking vegetables or salad as part of their average school lunch.

This is good news as it means the numbers of children eating two of their five-a-day at school have risen from 59% to 74%. The overall amount of food being left on the children’s plates hasn’t increased, this shows that the vegetables and salad being taken are actually being eaten, children are also drinking a lot more water with their lunchtime meal.

The ideal proportions we should all be eating of the different food groups are as follows:

• 33% fruit and vegetables – as many different colours of these as possible.
• 33% bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods.
• 15% milk and dairy foods.
• 12% meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein.
• 8% foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar.

For more information on how to look after your child’s weight, Child Obesity – A Parent’s Guide is available from Need2Know books for £8.99. The author, Judith Manson’s blog can be found at www.happyweightchildren.blogspot.com.

Statistics extracted and compiled from www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk and www.eatwell.gov.uk

Eatwell plate © Food Standards Agency.