This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Top tips for healthy packed lunches
13/03/2007
The health of school pupils is set to receive a further boost with a two-pronged approach featuring guidance for parents on preparing healthy packed lunches and legislation to make all schools health promoting - building on existing work to make school meals healthier.
Education Minister Hugh Henry joined pupils at the Glasgow Gaelic school for a healthy lunch ahead of the final parliamentary debate on the Health Promotion and Nutrition in Schools Bill, which takes place tomorrow.
Mr Henry's visit coincides with the publication of the first part of guidance for parents on healthy packed lunches - which gives practical advice on how to improve the nutritional values of packed lunches.
Sample menus for a week of packed lunches for primary pupils will show parents how to meet recommended guidelines for vitamins, minerals, salt and fat content in an appetizing and realistic way.
Mr Henry said:
"We are taking action to improve the health of the youngest Scots and future generations. We've already made great progress - under Hungry for Success our school lunches are healthier than ever - but we're not stopping there.
"By making the healthy choices the easy choices - not just in school meals, but in tuck shops, vending machines, breakfast clubs and all other places food is served in schools - we can make this a reality.
"We've also published guidance for parents - giving tips and recommendations on how to make packed lunches healthier and more nutritious.
"It can be hard to come up with imaginative ideas for healthy food that kids will want to eat. These simple ideas can help parents give their kids a packed lunch that's tasty, healthy and will go down a treat with hungry school pupils."
The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Parliament on September 11, 2006. The Stage Three debate will take place in the Parliament on March 14, 2007.
Hungry for Success introduced nutritional standards for school meals. Primary schools had to meet these by December 2004. Secondary schools had until December 2006.