School lunch nutrition estimator

Lunch is roughly 30% of a child's day. Add the sugar, salt and fibre from labels or the school menu, and see how it compares with that share of the guidance for their age.

Your details

Lunch guide for age 8

1 to look at

Lunch is about 30% of the day

Free sugars9.0 g of about 7.2 g, about 2 sugar cubes (4 g each)
Salt1.4 g of about 1.5 g
Fibre5.0 g of about 6.0 g
Fruit and veg1 portion of about 1.5 (30% of 5 A Day): a piece of fruit or some carrot sticks would help
Left for the rest of the dayup to 15 g of free sugars and 3.6 g of salt (daily limits 24 g and 5.0 g at 8)

These are rough lunch shares of the daily guidelines for children. One lunch over is nothing to worry about; it is the usual week that counts.

The working

Lunch as a share of the day

Lunch is roughly 30% of a child's day, so we take 30% of the daily guidance for their age. For an 8 year old: free sugars up to 24 g a day, so about 7.2 g at lunch; salt up to 5 g, so 1.5 g; fibre 20 g, so about 6 g to aim for.

The example lunch has 9 g of sugar (a little over, about 2 sugar cubes at 4 g each), 1.4 g of salt (under) and 5 g of fibre (a bit short). That leaves up to 15 g of free sugars and 3.6 g of salt for the rest of an 8 year old's day. One portion of fruit or veg is a little under the 1.5 that would be 30% of 5 A Day.

School dinners

The school food standards

Schools in England follow food standards that limit fried food, ban confectionery and sugary drinks and require fruit and veg every day. A school dinner is often a good balanced option.

Easy wins

For packed lunches

Wholemeal bread adds 2 to 3 g of fibre
Swap a juice drink for water to save up to 10 g of sugar
Fruit instead of a cereal bar
Fewer processed meats to cut salt

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Children under 4Sugar guidance is different; avoid added sugars.
GrowthIf you are worried about growth or eating, see your GP or school nurse.
Exact menusSchool menus vary by day.

Questions

Common questions

How much sugar should a child have a day?

No more than 19 g at 4 to 6, 24 g at 7 to 10, and 30 g from 11. Under 4s should avoid added sugar.

How much salt can children have?

No more than 3 g at 4 to 6, 5 g at 7 to 10, and 6 g from 11.

Are school dinners healthy?

Schools in England must meet food standards, so they are usually well balanced.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Worried about your child's eating?

Talk to your GP, health visitor or school nurse. Beat also supports families on 0808 801 0677.