A study of 1,000 parents and their kids aged 6-11 has revealed what the youngsters really think about their packed lunches with many swapping items with their friends at school for something tastier.
Seven in 10 parents say the health benefits of their child’s lunch box is the most important factor when deciding what to put in it.
Children have other ideas though, as they would most like to see chocolate, crisps and biscuits waiting for them at lunchtime.
Instead, the study conducted by bakery brand Warburtons, revealed the average lunchbox includes a sandwich, a piece of fruit, bag of crisps and a bottle of water.
A third of the nation’s young school kids are sent through the gates with veggie sticks and a dip in their lunch box, and one in 10 will have a nut bar to help keep them going through the day.
It also emerged that 47 per cent of parents say cost is a factor when deciding what makes it into the midday meal.
And fussy eaters rule the roost in some households as 43 per cent of parents are sometimes dictated to by their kids when it comes to what they’ll accept in their packed lunch.
The study also saw ham and cheese come out on top for favourite fillings.
But chocolate spread and jam also featured in the top five most requested sandwiches by the children surveyed.
Only a discerning one in four kids would rate the sandwiches their parents make for them to eat at school as ‘great’.
And more than two thirds even admitted to putting in a complaint or request with mum and dad when their packed lunch for the day didn’t meet their high standards.
Tearmh Taylor, corporate and consumer affairs manager for Warburtons, said: “There is a lot of pressure on parents when it comes to packing their children’s lunchboxes – health, cost and catering for fussy eaters are all huge factors.
“It’s encouraging to see that sandwiches are still at the heart of the packed lunch across the country, offering a balanced, nutritious and purse-friendly option for parents and children alike.
“Just maybe keep the jam and chocolate spread sandwich requests for an occasional treat.”
The top 20 fillings that UK school kids request for their sandwiches:
1. Ham
2. Cheese
3. Chocolate spread
4. Sliced chicken
5. Jam
6. Tuna
7. Cucumber
8. Peanut butter
9. Sausage
10. Chicken and sweetcorn
11. Turkey
12. Cream cheese
13. Egg salad
14. Roast beef
15. Corned beef
16. Cheese and pickle
17. BLT
18. Houmous
19. Avocado
20. Pulled pork
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