Back to school in UAE: Your guide to packing a super nutritious lunch through the week

Children who consume healthier food options tend to be more focused during classes

Nasreen Abdulla

Published: Tue 30 Aug 2022, 7:00 AM

With over a million students going back to school, experts are stressing on the need for packing healthy lunchboxes to ensure efficient nutrition.

A Dubai Municipality (DM) guide indicates that there is strong scientific evidence that supports the link between healthy eating, physical activity and success in school. According to it, children who consume healthier food options and are physically active tend to be more focused during classes and have better memory.

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Meanwhile, some doctors have reported seeing a drop in childhood obesity over the last couple of months. They have attributed it to the UAE government’s staunch stand against the epidemic.

Last week, in an interview with KT, DM officials had revealed their strategies to bring about long-lasting nutritious changes to the eating culture through school canteens.

Weekly Guide

In their guidelines and requirements for food and nutrition in schools in Dubai, a panel of experts from DM have listed a weekly guide to ensuring proper nutrition for students.

For breakfast, it is encouraged to give complex carbohydrates, dairy and a serving of fruit.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1 slice bread with low fat cheese spread Low fat yoghurt with berries	Avocado cucumber sandwich 3 slices of apple 1 small Laban	Chicken lettuce sandwich in pita bread 4-5 orange peels	Cottage cheese sandwich in multigrain bread 1 small banana	Oats porridge ½ banana and low-fat milk

The guide advises parents to include vegetables, protein and some fruit for lunch.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Rice with sauteed vegetables and beans 1 Banana 1 Laban	Chicken lettuce tortilla wrap Low fat homemade fruit yoghurt	Wholewheat pasta with vegetables/ chicken, tomato sauce and cheese Orange juice	Small pita bread sandwich with tuna and corn Fresh orange juice	Steamed rice with lightly sauteed mixed veggies/ chicken 1 apple Lemonade

For snacks, it is advised to give bite sized vegetables, fruits, nuts, wholegrain products or pulses.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Baby carrots with hummus	Low fat yoghurt with fresh cut fruits Some raw nuts	Small zip lock bag of homemade popcorn	Mixed raw nuts and dried fruit	Wholegrain crackers with bean dip

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