10 ideas for healthy school packed lunches

Reduce the use of butter and margarine or try to replace it all together with low-fat mayonnaise or reduced-fat spread. Try to include salad in their sandwiches. Include a portion of fruit every day but be adventurous and make it quick and easy to eat. Instead of setting your child the task of peeling an orange, why not pack them a bunch of grapes, a portion of fresh pineapple or fruit segments. There's nothing more warming than a mug of homemade soup on a cold day. Invest in a small flask for those winter months. Make a salad box in the morning with fresh salad and vegetables and alternate toppings throughout the week, like grilled chicken, tuna or asparagus. Rice is a great base for salad, so try mixing in fruit, nuts, beans and vegetables for a tasty lunch alternative. If they have a sweet tooth don't automatically head for the sweets and chocolate. There are healthier alternatives that are just as tasty. Try dried fruit mixes like the new Just Berriez mix. Crisps are not the only convenient savoury snack. Look for baked rather than dried snacks like Pretz, which contain less than a third of the fat of a standard packet of crisps and only 125 calories. Always include a drink to keep your child hydrated. Water is by far the best drink so stick to natural mineral water rather than the heavily-sweetened flavoured waters. If you're looking for a slightly sweeter drink there's nothing nicer than a 100 per cent fresh fruit juice to accompany their lunch.