Healthy Small Meals or Snack Boxes for NHS Staff
Our dietetics teams have put together some ideas for healthy small meals or snack boxes for NHS staff.
The concept was initially to support catering staff provide healthy, high energy food on the go to front line staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, these healthy small meals or snack boxes can be used by hospital catering staff at any point.
Catering staff can use the ideas to create healthy lunchboxes for NHS staff easily by ordering the items listed below from your usual suppliers, pack them into lunch bags and create a selling price.
We have lunchbox ideas for staff who don’t have access to a fridge, staff who want to eat healthy and vegetarian options. All the lunchbox ideas are healthy. We have listed product codes, nutritional and allergen information.
For prices please view NHS Supply Chain’s online catalogue or contact your usual food supplier.
See our Useful Links and Downloads ▼ section for further information on initiatives NHS Supply Chain: Food have launched to help customers through these unprecedented times including:
- A guide about choosing the right foods for patients who had difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) following ventilation
- Ideas and guidance on high protein snacks and drinks for patients recovering from COVID-19
- Lunch and snack boxes for NHS Staff.
All products codes are correct at time of publishing. If you require any assistance please contact your Regional Food Account Manager.
Information for caterers:
- This box is suitable for either a small meal or it can be used to provide healthy convenient snacks during the day
- The items in this snack box do not need to be refrigerated so are useful for staff who do not have access to a fridge to store
- Together all the items in the box are low in fat, saturated fat, salt and added sugars.
| Product Code | Product Description |
| ADT694 | Savoury protein crunch |
| AAC002 | Calypso clear strawberry sugar free flavoured water 500ml |
| AET117 | Heinz chicken soup squeeze and Stir 70g |
| ADT718 | Pop Chips Sour Cream and Onion 23g |
| ALT049 | Ambrosia Custard 120g |
| ALU026 or Bidfood: 12573 | Strawberry no added sugar jelly 115g |
| Nutrition and Allergen Information | |
| Typical nutrition per box (% based on adult average reference intake) ** | Energy: 385 kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 44.3g (17%) Sugar 15.7g (17%)* Fibre: 4.6g (18%) Fat: 16.0g (23%) Of which saturated fats: 4.5g (22%) Protein: 14g (28%) Salt: 1.5g (25%) |
| Allergens** | Contains: Milk |
*Includes naturally occurring sugars
** The allergens and typical nutritional values will vary if alternative food items are included in your box.
Information for caterers:
- This lunch box is aimed at busy NHS staff who wish to eat healthily
- Together all the items in the box are low in fat, saturated fat, salt and added sugars
- The food items are available immediately and can be ordered through your usual supplier.
| Product Code | Product Description |
| Bidfood: 22920 | |
| Bidfood: 76883 | Hovis Best of Both Bread – 2 slices 72g |
| Bidfood: 72710 | Farmstead Deli Yorkshire ham 45g |
| Bidfood: 75411 | Everyday Favourites sunflower spread 20g |
| Bidfood: 75085 | Tomatoes 85g |
| Bidfood: 26500 | Iceberg lettuce 30g |
| ADT658 | Banana 100g |
| Nutrition and Allergen Information | |
Typical nutrition per box (% based on adult average reference intake) ** | Energy: 372kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 71.3g (27%) Sugar: 41g (46%)* Fibre: 7.8g (26%) Fat: 17.7g (25%) Of which saturated fats: 4.8g (24%) Protein: 19.3g (39%) Salt: 1.8g (30%) |
| Allergens** | Contains: Gluten, Milk, Soya beans |
* Includes 35.9g of naturally occurring sugars and 5.1g of added sugars
** The allergens and typical nutritional values will vary if alternative food items are included in your box
Information for caterers:
- This lunch box is aimed at busy NHS staff who are vegetarian or prefer a vegetarian meal box option
- Together all the items in the box are low in fat, saturated fat, salt and added sugars
- The food items are available immediately and can be ordered through your usual supplier.
| Product Code | Product Description |
| Bidfood: 22920 | Hovis Best of Both bread – 2 slices 72g |
| Bidfood: 13024 | The Real Deli Houmous 50g |
| Bidfood: 75411 | Tomatoes 85g |
| Bidfood: 75085 | Iceberg lettuce 30g |
| Bidfood: 75259 | Cucumber 20g |
| Bidfood: 45736 | Apple 100g |
| ADT661 | Nims Pineapple crisps 20g |
| Nutrition and Allergen Information | |
| Typical nutrition per box (% based on adult average reference intake) ** | Energy: 844 kcal (42%) Carbohydrates: 74.3g (29%) Sugar 38.7g (43%)* Fibre: 12.5g (42%) Fat: 25.0g (36%) Of which saturated fats: 2.5g (13%) Protein: 13.5g (27%) Salt: 1.3g (22%) |
| Allergens** | Contains: Gluten, Soya beans, Sesame seeds |
*Includes 30.6g of naturally occurring sugars and 8.1g of added sugars
** The allergens and typical nutritional values will vary if alternative food items are included in your box.
Information for caterers:
- This lunch box is aimed at busy NHS staff who wish to eat healthily
- Together all the items in the box are low in fat, saturated fat, salt and added sugars
- The food items are available immediately and can be ordered through your usual supplier.
| Product Code | Product Description |
| Bidfood: 97984 | Kara Mk5 Seeds and Oats bap 90g |
| Bidfood: 72710 | Everyday Favourites Sunflower spread 20g |
| Bidfood: 75411 | Tomatoes 85g |
| Bidfood: 75085 | Iceberg lettuce 30g |
| Bidfood: 36833 | Cooked chicken breast 80g |
| Bidfood: 45736 | Apple 100g |
| ADT661 | Nims Pineapple crisps |
| Nutrition and Allergen Information | |
| Typical nutrition per box (% based on adult average reference intake) ** | Energy: 643 kcal (32%) Carbohydrates: 76.8g (30%) Sugar: 38g (42%)* Fibre: 11.5g (38%) Fat: 19.8g (28%) Of which saturated fats: 4.1g (20%) Protein: 36.3g (73%) Salt: 1.7g (28%) |
| Allergens** | Contains: Gluten, milk May contain: Sesame seeds |
* Includes 29.6g of naturally occurring sugars and 8.4g of added sugars
** The allergens and typical nutritional values will vary if alternative food items are included in your box.
