Now that PCD has fitted your state of the art, environmentally friendly kitchen, it’s time to prepare a menu that keeps the kids focused and energised through the day.

The importance of a healthy diet goes beyond simply fitness and reducing calories, nutritious food helps us to concentrate. It’s vital for the school environment. Here’s a few things worth considering.

• Fruit & Veg – Only 12% of adolescent children are keeping to the recommended amount of five fruit and veg a day. Cost can be an issue in a home environment, so schools can lend a hand here. It’s important that all meals come with portions of vegetables – meals such as roast dinners and side salads included with pasta dishes are a good way of introducing more veg to children’s diets.

• Starches – Slow release, complex carbs are a cost effective, energy efficient and healthy way to ensure that kids are getting the right amount of calories. Schools should try and limit refined carbs, such as white bread, and encourage other starches such as potatoes, brown bread and rice, and proteins including beans and peas. Dishes such as Chili Con Carne and Jambalaya are a good fit – and also vegetarian.

• Sugars – As a whole we have too much sugar in our diets. Steps should be made to reduce fizzy drinks and sugary fruit juices. Vending machines should not stock chocolate or sweets. It’s also important to consider that refined carbs, especially white bread, often contain a lot of sugar. Too much sugar can encourage kids to eat more than they need, which may contribute to childhood obesity. Fresh fruit offers kids enough sugar, while also containing important vitamins and minerals.

If you’re looking for a new school kitchen, or considering expanding an existing one – PCD can help you to design, install and maintain your perfect cooking environment, with safety, sustainability and ease of use at its core.