Before we know it summer will be over and we will be back to school; and for a lot of us that also means back to packed lunches. As a mum and nutritionist I have always preferred packed lunches – I know exactly what my children are eating, I can choose nutritious foods they enjoy and I find it works out cheaper too.

At BEAR we take packed lunches very seriously! Why? Simple – they are important for children’s nutrition. There are an average of 190 school days in the academic year. That’s 190 lunches! Lunch is a main meal and should be nutritionally balanced, tasty and enjoyable. It’s not just a stop gap to dinner, it’s an opportunity to nourish our growing children (and ourselves!)

By lunchtime, children have built up an appetite so lunch should satisfy that hunger while also fueling their bodies and minds to provide enough energy for the rest of the afternoon. When it comes to energy, carbohydrates are the body’s and minds’ preferred source of energy – so it’s important to include sufficient carbohydrates in a packed lunch; things like wholegrain bread or wrap, pasta, potatoes, oat cakes etc. BEAR's real fruit snacks are also a great source of carbohydrates because they are made with 100% natural ingredients like fruit and vegetables. I also think they are the perfect fun sweet element in a packed lunch. Each of my cubs have their favourite flavour, so it always feels like a treat.

So that’s carbs sorted; to make the meal nutritionally balanced, don’t forget protein and a little healthy fat. All three are important for overall health but also how our kids feel in the afternoon.

And while we’re on the subject of the afternoon, let’s talk snacks. Most kids are hungry as soon as they come out of school, even if they’ve had a filling lunch. That’s perfectly normal and it happens because kids are growing and their base metabolic rate is so high - up to 50% more than adults so they are literally burning through energy at a much faster rate. BEAR have got you covered when it comes to after school snacks too with their delicious snack bars. These are ideal for after school or before an activity; they contain carbs from the oats and fruit, healthy fats from the nuts and protein from the oats and nuts. So as far as snacks go, these are pretty well balanced and grrreat fuel for after school.

For me, being well stocked with BEAR snacks is a must when thinking about the return to school. So add them to your September shopping list and make the return to school that little bit yummier!