Packed lunches

For parents who want to pack lunch for their kids, having a main item and a fruit or dairy product is recommended, said Ms Ang.

Wholemeal sandwiches with fillings like ham, cheese, tuna, peanut butter or eggs make good main items. Include vegetables like tomatoes or shredded carrots for added nutrition, she said.

Besides their fibre content, tomatoes and carrots contain vitamin C, which helps keep the immune system healthy.

Ms Kamdar said that children who have a diet high in processed and junk food may need to take children's vitamin supplements.

She added: 'However, remember that taking vitamins isn't a cure-all for an unhealthy diet, so parents should continue offering healthy food choices to their kids.'

lingg@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.