What do children eat in Dutch schools?

Children’s nutrition is an important part of their health and development, and every country has its own traditions and habits around food. In the Netherlands, the way children eat is quite different from many other countries, especially when it comes to school lunches and eating routines throughout the day. If you’re moving to the Netherlands with a child, you’re probably curious to learn what kids usually eat here and how school meals are organised.

How does food work in Dutch schools?

One of the main features of Dutch schools is that most of them don’t have canteens serving full hot lunches like in many other countries. Instead, children bring their own food from home in lunchboxes. Pupils typically have two main breaks: one for a morning snack (fruit eten, 10-uurtje) around 10 a.m., and another for lunch (lunch, lunchpauze), usually around noon.

Since there are no school kitchens providing hot meals, parents decide what their children will eat at school. Most families keep it simple: sandwiches, fruit, and water. Schools actively promote healthy eating, and sugary or fatty foods are discouraged or sometimes even banned.

What do children eat?

A typical Dutch school lunch includes:

Sandwiches. Probably the most common option. They’re usually filled with cheese (kaas), peanut butter (pindakaas), or butter. Bread is often rye or multigrain, which adds fibre to children’s diets.
Fruits and vegetables. Parents often pack slices of apple, bananas, carrots, or cucumber. These are an essential part of a healthy snack.
Drinks. Most children drink plain water, sometimes milk, and only occasionally fruit juice. In many schools, bringing soft drinks or beverages with lots of sugar is not allowed.
Yogurt or dairy. Some families include a small container of yogurt or cheese.

The main idea is that lunch should be simple, light, and easy to carry.

If not sandwiches, then what?

Although sandwiches are by far the most popular lunch, they aren’t the only option. Parents who want to offer more variety sometimes use thermos containers to give children warm meals from home.

Examples of alternatives include:

Rice with vegetables or meat. These meals are easy to pack in thermal containers.
Mashed potatoes. A simple, convenient option that can be combined with vegetables.
Pasta. Easy to prepare and keep warm in a thermos, making a tasty, filling lunch.

This gives parents flexibility to diversify their children’s meals if they prefer something other than the traditional sandwich.

What about sweets?

Sweets are present in Dutch children’s diets, but in moderation. Schools generally follow healthy eating policies, so the amount of candy is limited. Still, kids occasionally bring sweet treats:

Bread with chocolate sprinkles (hagelslag). A classic Dutch childhood snack – sandwiches topped with chocolate sprinkles.
Fruit as a sweet alternative. Many schools encourage fruit over sweets, and in some cases, candy and chocolate aren’t allowed.
Marshmallows and gummies. Sometimes children have a small bag of gummy candies or marshmallows as a treat, but this is more of an exception than the rule.

In the Netherlands, sweets are tolerated but kept in check. Parents are encouraged to choose healthier options to avoid excess sugar.

Overall, children’s meals in the Netherlands are based on simplicity and practicality. Sandwiches remain the cornerstone of school lunches, but parents can always add variety with thermos containers of warm homemade food. It’s important to remember that Dutch schools focus on promoting healthy eating, so sweets are quite limited, making room for fruit and vegetables. This approach helps kids stay active and focused throughout the school day, which is an essential part of their school life.