RESEARCHERS have been delving into what youngsters take to school for lunch.

They found that typically lunchboxes contain white-bread sandwiches filled with anything from chocolate spread to meat paste, a couple of chocolate biscuits, a packet of crisps and a can of coke.

And, not surprisingly, they discovered that 44 per cent of boys aged four to 18 and half of girls were therefore consuming less than the required amount of calcium and vitamin A.

Children who miss out on vital nutrients will pay the price later in life, the researchers warned.

Calcium is needed to build strong bones and ward off osteoporosis, and vitamin A helps fend off infections.

The new diet survey has found:

The foods most commonly eaten by children are white bread, savoury snacks, potato chips, biscuits, potatoes and chocolate confectionery

By weight, boys eat nearly four times as many biscuits as leafy green vegetables

By weight, girls eat nearly four times as many sweets and chocolates as leafy green veg.

An ideal lunchbox to take to school?

Researchers suggest a cheese and sliced apple sandwich, a fruit yoghurt, raisins, a satsuma and a carton of apple juice.