Schools urged to provide healthier snacks

A new survey from the British Nutrition Foundation discovers that a significant majority (79 per cent) of young people aged 10-13 years usually have two or more snacks during a school day.

Over half (53 per cent) of students report purchasing snacks from the school canteen during breaktime, but only one in five students (19 per cent) feel their school canteen helps them to choose healthier options.

This is despite two-thirds (69 per cent) of students being open to learning how to choose and make healthier snacks.

Claire Theobald, Education Services Manager at the British Nutrition Foundation said: “We know that unhealthy snacks can contribute to intakes of sugar, salt and saturated fat. But schools can play a key role in empowering young people to choose snacks that provide essential nutrients, as well as being satisfying and tasty. That’s why we want schools to join us for Snack-tember this year to get free resources and support for healthier, more sustainable snacking for their pupils”

In response to these findings, The British Nutrition Foundation is inviting schools, retailers, and caterers to participate in a month-long initiative focused on promoting healthier, more sustainable snacking options for children and young people. By registering for Snack-tember, schools will receive free support and resources to help students have healthier snacks, including activity ideas, recipes, posters and information for parents and carers. Schools can find out more and register in our Snack-tember section