Bad eating habits starting early in life, study says

Pizzas, chicken nuggets, chips and baked beans often formed the core or lunchtime meals, the consumer group Which? found.

Diets were typically lacking in vital nutrients such as iron, zinc, protein, calcium and vitamins A and C.

But they were high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.

Government nutritional standards for school meals were introduced in 2001. All previous regulations had been abolished in 1980.

For its study Which? asked 246 children to keep food diaries.

These were filled with details of crisps, chips and chocolate bars, while fruit and vegetables hardly gained a mention.

'Eat your greens'

Which? editor Helen Parker said: "Nutritious options need to be made more appealing if kids are going to choose them above the ubiquitous chicken dippers and chips.

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"The success of healthy eating and catering initiatives in schools should also be evaluated to identify which are most effective in encouraging healthy eating."

The government advises that eating five portions of fruit or vegetables a day can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

School meals contributed less than 1.5 portions on average, Which? found.

Government inspections have shown a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, salad and fruit, are on offer.

But children tend to opt for less healthy dishes.

Which? said pupils' diets did not seem to have improved since 1992, when it last conducted a survey.