A UK primary school headmaster is annoyed as kids have recently brought Smarties and a cold McDonald's Happy Meal for their lunches.
Jon Carthy, headmaster at Byron Primary School in Kent, was shocked to find the fast food and chocolates, and also found one child brought four yoghurt pottles for their lunch, The Daily Mail reports.
He wrote in a school newsletter: "Whilst extreme and funny to read on paper, I must make this clear THESE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE examples of a balanced packed lunch.
Children work very hard at school and a balanced meal at lunch time helps provide concentration for the afternoon."
The school follows Government guidelines for packed lunches which include one portion of fruit and vegetable/salad every day, meat, fish or a source of non-dairy protein and starchy foods such as bread or pasta.
Mr Carthy says he will contact parents if the school feels the child is not getting a regular balanced meal.
The school's guidelines for lunches:
- one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetable or salad every day to be included in packed lunches
- meat, fish or another source of non-dairy protein should be included every day. Non-dairy sources of protein include lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus and falafel
- an oily fish, such as salmon, should be included at least once every three weeks
- a starchy food, such as bread or pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other cereals, should be included every day
- a dairy food, such as semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or custard should be included every day
- include only water, still or sparkling, fruit juice, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, yoghurt or milk drinks and smoothies
- snacks such as crisps should not be included. Instead, include seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added salt, sugar or fat). savoury crackers or breadsticks served with fruit, vegetables or dairy food are also a good choice
- confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits and sweets should not be included. Cakes and biscuits are allowed but these should be part of a balanced meal
- meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies corned meat and sausages / chipolatas should be included only occasionally.
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