AS YOUNGSTERS across East Surrey nibble their last morsels of Easter eggs, a mother-of-two is determined to tackle another eating craze: unhealthy packed lunches.
Jackie Perez believes white bread, biscuits, sweets and fruit drinks are too common in children's lunch boxes, and are contributing to bad eating habits and child obesity.
The mother of six-year-old Freya, who attends St John's Primary School, in Redhill, and three-year-old Sasha, explained her theories to her daughter's school assembly during its "Being Healthy" week last year.
Now that the warmer weather is here and more children will be eating packed lunches, Jackie hopes parents will follow her advice.
Jackie, 45, said: "Mums came up to me in the playground saying that their children were asking which foods were healthy and taking more of an interest in their food as a result of my assembly talk."
She added: "I have also been approached by mums who have tried my packed lunch ideas and they have gone down well with children. I included a sugar free recipe to show that you don't have to add loads of sugar to a recipe for it to taste nice."
She said sugar in fruit juice, cakes and sweets cause a sugar spike and meant children were less likely to concentrate and more prone to temper tantrums.
She said: "Eating well is essential for a child's immune system so it stays strong. It includes eating a variety of food, treats are ok but only every now and again."
Jackie, who lives with her partner and two children in Earlsbrook Road, Redhill, is passionate about health and eating and holds one-to-ones and workshops in the town to help educate people on how to eat well.
Jackie said: "I cover subjects from weaning, healthy snacks, and weight issues, with quinoa and vegetarian masterclasses."
For more information, call Jackie on 07976 707 882 or e-mail jackieperez68@hotmail.com
Jackie's healthy lunchbox recommendations: * Brown bread sandwiches with a variety of fillings: cheese and tomato, tuna and sweetcorn, chicken and salad, cream cheese and salmon, egg and cress. * Avocado * Wraps or brown pitta bread pockets * Brown pasta salad – brown pasta contains more nutrients and keeps you feeling fuller for longer because of the fibre content. Add vegetables and chicken or tuna or salmon to make it interesting. * Cous Cous or quinoa salad – mix with roasted or chopped cooked vegetables to make a fresh grain salad. You could also Add cold meat leftovers or some tinned tuna or salmon. * Spanish omelette/frittata * Falafel – great with a hummus dip * Soup – in a small thermos flask with a brown roll * Pizza – top a round brown pitta with tomato puree, vegetables and some cheese * Boiled egg * Vegetables * Fruit – grapes, chopped melon, chopped pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, sliced kiwi fruit. * Popcorn – instead of crisps * Homemade flapjack – oat based snacks produce slow release energy and keep you feeling full for longer. Homemade biscuits/cakes – homemade biscuits and cakes don't have to contain lots of sugar.Jackie's no-nos: * Crisps, chocolate, sweets, white bread, Fruit Shoot drinks, biscuits and cakes. Jackie said: "These items do not contain any useful nutrients and in the long run will cause children to have elevated blood sugar levels for a short time resulting in a rapid fall soon after. "This fall can lead to lack of concentration in class and hunger. Ideally we want to provide food that is nutritious, filling and does not cause sugar spikes and rapid falls."