Healthy eating

Expert check for healthier snacks at schools

Fruit and vegetables should not be missing from any buffet.

(Bild: Neumayr Fotografie - Christian L)

Every second child only eats their first meal of the day at school. A buffet check should now ensure that healthier food is offered. But are there still enough school buffets? 

The figures are sobering: every second pupil aged ten and over does not eat breakfast at home. The first hunger pangs come during a break. And they often reach for unhealthy snacks such as meat loaf sandwiches and the like. In many cases, drinks are real sugar bombs and sweet snacks are far too tempting.

"Four out of five schools do not offer healthy snacks at break times," warns the SIPCAN prevention initiative in a new study. School buffets are now being checked. The nutrition experts led by board member and internet specialist Friedrich Hoppichler are advising the schools and Novo Nordisk is providing support.

New check for school buffets
100,000 children benefited from this in the last school year. The best example: the buffet at the BORG school on Salzburg's Akademiestrasse, which is now managed by Lebenshilfe, has undergone some changes. "Our offer now meets 93 percent of the criteria," says Director Florian Wachter. Sweet snacks are not completely taboo, but they are smaller. Dark bread is healthier than light bread.

School buffets are usually managed by their own operators, school caretakers or via bakeries. The state of Salzburg is supporting the checks with 20,000 euros from next semester.