Ireland’s top 10 school lunchbox items revealed before kids go back to school

It's that time of year again.

It's near September and the kids are about to make their way back to school. Where did the summer go? In preparation for sending your little ones back, it's time to think about what you will put in their lunch boxes every day. We were glad to hear that new research has shown that the most common items in children's lunch boxes are healthy choices according to mamas and papas. The study carried out by Super Troopers with laya healthcare revealed fresh fruit is the most popular snack in kids bags. Eight out of ten parents said they put fruit in their son or daughter's lunch box whether it's a banana, an apple or some grapes. Junk food such as chocolate and crips are significantly less popular with only 7 percent of mothers and fathers saying they give it to their children when they go to school. Other popular items in primary school kids' lunch boxes include sandwiches, water and dairy products. Here's the full list of items that made the top 10:

1. Fresh fruit
2. Sandwich, wrap or bread roll
3. Water
4. Cheese, yoghurt, milk
5. Vegtables
6. Fruit flavoured water
7. Pasta
8. Salad
9. Crisps
10. Chocolate

The good news is that fizzy drinks didn't make the list with only 4 percent of children consuming them during school hours. However, it's not great to see that parents appear to be swapping soft drinks for sugary water. One in five said they give their little ones fruit flavoured water. A member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, Consultant Dietitian Paula Mee has warned parents about such drinks. She revealed that most 250ml bottles of flavoured water contain around 22g or five teaspoons of sugar each meaning that they are unhealthy substitutes.