I’m a nutritionist. This is why school ‘vegan’ dinners can be WORSE than meat options

Vegan nuggets, beans and chips. A baked potato, bread and salad.

Even a meat-free sausage roll.

These are just some of the gloomy-sounding vegan school dinners served to kids in recent years.

But top dietitians and nutritionists have warned that the environmentally conscious push to adopt meat-free meals may come at a price.

Instead of giving kids a roast with carrots and broccoli, they risk being served ultra-processed foods.

These items, including meat substitutes, may contain poor-quality ingredients and lack essential nutrients and vitamins, experts said.

They told MailOnline that it should be the ideal school dinner high-quality proteins, healthy fats and a variety of vegetables or salad.

Adults have shared photos of vegan meals being served in schools as farmers protest against ‘plant-based’ options being forced on children (photo Vegan chicken nuggets, beans and chips served at a school)

Such an example could be a shepherd’s pie consisting of a hearty portion of potato, vegetables and lamb.

Overall, the filling dish is said to have about 580 calories, filling kids up and stopping them from snacking on chips and chocolate when their school day comes to an end.

It could be supplemented with a banana and an apple to get kids closer to their five a day, said Harley Street nutritionist Kim Pearson.

Another expert suggested meat-free chili as a vegan option.

Parents shared photos of their children’s meat-free school dinners with MailOnline last week.

An example of this was two stalks of broccoli, a bland portion of carrots, two baked potatoes, a sausage and a scoop of what appeared to be puree, next to a mysterious white lump.

While vegan eating can be healthy, nutritionists warn that without proper planning, food can lack essential nutrients.

Ms Pearson said: ‘I don’t recommend processed vegan meat alternatives to anyone.

“Whether it’s processed meat or processed vegan alternatives, neither is good for children’s health.

“They often contain poor quality ingredients and a long list of additives.

“Unfortunately, far too much of what kids eat during school lunches is ultra-processed, based on refined carbohydrates with no nutrients, fried or high in sugar.”

While some vegan meals can contain a range of nutrients and be balanced, experts warn that this can take planning.

Schools should ensure vegan meals contain all essential amino acids and fatty acids, vitamins including D and B12, and nutrients such as iodine and iron, claimed registered dietitian Dr Duane Mellor of Aston University.

It can also be difficult to meet a range of dietary requirements when serving a vegan diet, as it becomes difficult to cut out gluten, Dr. Mellor said.

He said: “Unfortunately, it may be easier to try to replace meat with vegan alternatives, known as meat analogues, such as vegan burgers and sausages, which may contain more salt compared to the meat-containing version.”

Dr. Mellor suggests that a cottage pie with lentils and vegetables or a mild bean chili with baked potato or rice could make an ideal vegan dinner suitable for children.

He said: ‘It is possible, but perhaps not at first sight child-friendly, to make healthy and easy vegan food with beans, peas and lentils.

“Nuts are great too, although concerns about allergies may limit their use in school kitchens.”

However, if meat was on the menu, Dr. Mellor says a bolognese or a chili packed with hidden veggies would be good options.

A vegan option that could be served in a British school under the new meat-free programs

Two students feast on vegan sausage rolls in a new initiative rejected by farmers

According to some council secretaries, schools will have one meat-free day a week

A move towards vegan school meals has been described as ‘a slap in the face to British farmers’

“An ideal school dinner would consist of dishes made from whole foods,” said Miss Pearson.

“It would contain high-quality protein, healthy fats and a variety of vegetables or salad.”

She suggests this ideal dinner could look like a shepherd’s pie with lots of veggies.

She said: ‘A meal such as shepherd’s pie provides high-quality protein, fat and fiber from vegetables, as well as essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin C and B vitamins.

“In this kind of dish, you can use cheaper cuts of meat, which means it can be made affordable without relying on highly processed freezer-to-fryer options.”

Other options Ms. Pearson suggests include casseroles or casseroles, fish or legumes cooked in tomato and onion sauce or griddles, with steamed or roasted vegetables or salads on the side.

It’s not just the processed nuggets and chips that Miss Pearson has a problem with, but the amount of sugar served to children for dessert.

She said, “Kids really don’t need to eat high sugar desserts like cakes and processed yogurt. If schools still want to provide dessert, they should opt for fresh fruit.’

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS

¿ Eat at least 5 servings of different fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

¿ Basic meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains

¿ 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat muesli biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole-wheat bread, and a large baked potato with skin

¿ Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks) and choose lower-fat, lower-sugar options

¿ Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish per week, one of which is oily)

¿ Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume in small quantities

¿ Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day

¿ Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide