Back to School Shopping Guide

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Eat Better. Stay Fuller. Focus Longer.

Healthy lunches don't need to cost more. With a little planning, everyday ingredients can create a balanced and nutritious lunch that kids will enjoy. Choose foods containing protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals to help keep them feeling full, focused and energised throughout the school day.

Simple choices such as wholegrain bread, fruit, vegetables and an affordable source of protein can provide the nutrients growing bodies need – without stretching the weekly budget.

Better nutrition. Same price. Better energy.

Build a Better Sandwich

1. Start with bread
Small swaps make a big difference to fibre and nutrition, often for the same price:

  • Warburtons White Bread (£1.40) → Jason's Wholemeal Sourdough (£2.20) – wholemeal, B vitamins, 3x more fibre
  • Tesco White Pitta (£0.50) → Tesco Wholemeal Pitta (£0.50) – same price, better nutrition, more fibre
  • Tesco White Pitta (£1.75) → Tesco Finest Durum Wheat Piadinas (£1.65) – clean ingredients, made with olive oil, more fibre

2. Add protein

  • Tesco Mature Cheddar Slices (£2.85) – 7–8g protein per slice, calcium for growing bones
  • Nitrate-Free Ham (£3.00) – lean protein, simple ingredients
  • Tesco Finest Charred Beef (£3.75) – protein, iron and B vitamins

3. Add fruit + veg
Cucumber, carrot sticks, apples, tangerines, grapes, sugar-snap peas, melon, tomatoes – for fibre, vitamins and minerals, and natural crunch.

Smart Snacks

Good choices

  • Tesco Greek Style Plain Yogurt Kids (£1.10) – high protein, no added sugar
  • Cheestrings Real Cheese (£3.49) – protein, calcium
  • Mini Babybel (£2.25) – real cheese, simple ingredients
  • Cathedral City Minis (£2.60) – protein, calcium
  • Tesco Shortbread (£2.60) – a healthier biscuit, easy to portion
  • Walkers Baked Sea Salt Multipack Crisps (£2.20) – baked not fried, no preservatives
  • Kallo Lentil & Pea Veggie Cakes (£3.00) – plant protein, fibre
  • Bonne Maman Madeleines (£2.90) – real butter, easy to portion
  • Rymut Corn Sticks (£1.00) – baked not fried, good portions
  • Tesco Mini Breadsticks (£1.40) – low in sugar, made with olive oil

Simple rule: choose whole grains, protein, fruit and vegetables most of the time. Better nutrition. Same price. Better energy. No sugar crashes.

Things to avoid

  • Mr Kipling French Fancies (£3.00) – high sugar, low nutrition
  • Cadbury Mini Rolls (£2.50) – ultra-processed, high sugar
  • Walkers Classic Variety Multipack (£3.90) – fried, poor nutritional value
  • Dairylea Lunchables Ham & Cheese (£1.60) – highly processed, full of junk

Why It Matters

  • Protein – muscle development and steady energy
  • Fibre – supports digestion and keeps blood sugar stable
  • Calcium + Vitamin D – supports strong bones, growth and immune health
  • B Vitamins – support energy metabolism, focus and development
  • Minerals – support immunity, focus and sleep

School Lunch Hack, from Sunna

One of the easiest ways to build a nutritious lunchbox is to think about what your child already enjoys eating for dinner. Leftovers can work the next day brilliantly, and often save time and money:

  • Mozzarella, tomato & basil pizza pocket pittas
  • Chicken fajitas from the night before
  • Pasta salad with tuna mayo and sweetcorn
  • Leftover pasta dishes that can be eaten cold
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Immune System: Vitamins A, C, D, B6, B12 and zinc contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Cognitive function: Iron and zinc contribute to normal cognitive function.

Muscle function: Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, normal energy-yielding metabolism and normal functioning of the nervous system. It also contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Energy: Vitamins B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6, B12, folate, biotin and pantothenic acid contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and help reduce tiredness and fatigue. They also support the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Nervous System: Magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Hair, Skin & Nails: Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin and nails. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin. Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Bone Health: Vitamin D and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones. Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. The first and the only Kids Multivitamin Gummy with no added sugar and no sweetener in the UK.