Recently I spotted a news article about children’s lunches in schools and was shocked to read someone has sent their child to school with a Smartie sandwich…

Now I’m not against chocolate or sweets, however, Kayleigh doesn’t have them at lunch and only as a treat. But NEVER would I have thought to put sugary snacks it in a sandwich. Not only is it unhealthy but butter, bread and chocolate must taste horrible!

I know some people put crisps in their sandwiches, which is their choice, but not something I personally like. But would you send a toddler/child to school with this in their lunch box as the main part of their lunch?

Let me clear one thing up; I’m no health freak! I admit to having chocolate in the fridge for both myself and the kids, however it’s seen in our family as a treat food, not an everyday food.

Kayleigh has lunch at pre-school everyday and in the morning we talk through what’s in her lunch box. We start with a sandwich/wrap/flat bread with cheese/jam/ham or any other type of suitable sandwich filing. Then there is always a yoghurt for pudding and a piece of fruit, which she picks, alongside a pure orange/apple juice carton.

At her pre-school, the children also have snack time which is water or milk with a different type of healthy snack each day, so I’m happy for her to have some juice with her lunch.

As parents we are trying to teach our children that all food is acceptable in moderation; it’s all about having a balanced diet. Yes, they can have sweet treats, but at the same time I expect them to eat a healthy lunch and dinner. We mainly snack on fruit but, yes, there is the occasional treat. I want them to grow up without any fears of food knowing that they can have a balanced diet but at the same time they can have a treat.

But surely, I am not the only one to find it a little worrying someone gave their child a Smartie sandwich?!