Food and Drink Top Tips for Primary School

As young children transition from preschool to primary school it is key to prepare them for their new adventure.  

Children will be experiencing a variety of change when they begin primary school, a change of friends, teachers, environment, activities, as well as food.  Let’s discover the best primary school food and drink options.

Eating a variety of Food  

This is the best time to experiment with food at home. Whether trying new flavours, textures and meals or simply decorating your plates with vibrant colours and different veggies!  

It is key to lead by example here, if your little ones notice you enjoying your new meal, then they too will be encouraged to give it a try and enjoy the process. With the option of having school meals, children will need to be able to expand their pallets to accept a range of different lunchtime options.  

Some schools can provide you with a sample menu for you to cook the meals yourself and get the children ready for the year ahead.   

Lunchbox 

Whether adding this to your night-time routine or squeezing it in before the morning school rush, having a packed lunchbox can be a great way to know what your child is eating and having a say on what they eat at school.  

Lunchbox Tips 

• Keeping them fuller for longer: Have the main meal within the lunchbox be foods like pasta, bread, rice, or potatoes. This will keep children full for a while, even up until dinner.  
• DIY Lunch: Have your children enjoy creating their own lunch by adding wraps with pots of fillings (depending on level of independence) and even dips to expand their pallets.  
• Salad: Always add salad to sandwiches or wraps – this will count as one of your child’s 5 A Day!  
• Adding healthy alternatives: Cut back on unhealthy foods where possible and switch with healthy alternatives that provide more energy. For example, wholegrain bread instead of white bread, or lite mayonnaise instead of full-fat mayonnaise.  
• Vegetables: Adding small veggies such as cherry tomatoes, sticks of carrots or sliced cucumber will be easy to eat for little ones while still aiding their 5 A Day. For an extra taste, add a small tub of hummus for children to dip their veggies into.  
• Bite-sized fruit: Make a colourful fruit bowl for children to snack on, add chopped apples, pieces of tangerine, grapes, strawberries, and sliced mango for a snack pot sure to delight. (To stop fruits from turning brown, add a squeeze of lemon juice!)  

**Remember to ask your school of any lunchbox restrictions such us avoiding nuts or legumes. Every school will differ depending on the pupils’ allergies.** 

Hot School Lunch 

Having the option of hot school lunch can be a relief for many parents who simply do not have the time to prepare a lunchbox. These meals typically vary everyday with an option of a hot main meal and dessert.  

We recommend asking your school for a menu beforehand to decide whether this option is viable for your child. Most schools will have vegetarian options and take into consideration dietary requirements or religious requirements.  

Some parents like to avoid hot school meals as they would prefer being in control of what their child eats and their portion size. However, each option is down to personal preference.  

Lunchtime tips  

For many parents, mealtimes can be more of a challenge with children. Here are a few tips to consider when preparing your little one for primary school:  

• Every mealtime whilst home, ensure your child is feeding themselves using cutlery. This way they can establish independence before starting school. Encourage them to try to cut, spread, spear, and scoop their food themselves. Discover toys for fine motor skills development to aid their cutlery skills.  
• Many parents recommend having your child practice holding a tray or plate and taking it from one side of the room to the other. This way you assist with any wobbles before school starts.  
• Tidying up is important, ensure your little one practices disposing of their waste and putting away their ‘tray’ or plate.  
• Parents also recommend teaching little ones queuing etiquette and having patience while in a line. This can be done while you are out shopping at your local supermarket.  
• Staying sat whilst eating is also essential while in primary school. Ensure little ones are encouraged to stay sat during mealtimes to avoid any spills.  

Transitioning to water bottles 

Help your little one have a “big kid” experience by choosing their own water bottle design, this way they will be excited to show it off to their new friends whilst keeping hydrated at school. Depending on school rules, you may be able to add favoured water to your child’s bottle to encourage them to start using their bottle more often.  

We recommend having a look at water bottles that measure your child’s intake, this way you can reward your little one for drinking a certain amount per day. This can encourage children to drink enough fluid while at school and creates a habit for them to do so.

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