Governors have come up with tips for children's lunchboxes

A committee of MPs has produced a string of recommendations for schools in England to help reduce the number of fat children.

In response, one of the main organisations representing school governing bodies has agreed that schools have a vital role to play.

The National Governors' Council says many of its members are concerned about school meals, unhealthy snacks and fizzy drinks in vending machines, and "junk food" promotions.

It has recently surveyed school governors about their views on the subject.

Taking action

"In the past, many governors saw parents as responsible for decisions about young children's food, and teenagers as responsible for their own choices," the council said.

"But this is changing in response to current publicity about childhood obesity and governors now feel they must take responsibility for food policy in schools."

It is working with the Food Standards Agency to draw up a framework illustrating school governing bodies' responsibilities.

It asks them to consider taking action on a range of issues such as vending machines and tuck shops.

Many children, especially in primary schools, get no food at school but have to take in lunchboxes.

So the council also suggests giving guidance to parents on food brought from home in lunchboxes.

"This can be controversial if parents are not properly consulted," it warns, in proposing some menus they might like to try.

• Use wholegrain or wholemeal bread or rolls
• Cut down the amount of butter, margarine or mayonnaise
• Pick low-fat sandwich fillings such as lean meats including ham or turkey, fish - such as tuna - cottage cheese, Edam, mozzarella, or sliced banana
• As well as whole fresh fruit try fruit salad or melon pieces, or a small box of raisins or a mini tin of fruit in juice
• Avoid fizzy colas or "juice drinks" - go for unsweetened fruit juice, flavoured bottled water, flavoured milk or yoghurt drinks
• Instead of crisps, which are high in fat, choose plain popcorn, breadsticks or dried mixed fruit (without added sugar)
• Replace cakes, chocolates and biscuits with scones, currant buns and fruit bread
• Include some cherry tomatoes, sticks of carrot, cucumber, celery or peppers
• Put some salad in sandwiches - or try a mixed salad instead of a sandwich
• Vary what is in there - making it more interesting but also nutritionally more healthy