A sandwich roll for break… do children still even eat them?

A few years ago, it was very common to see children everywhere taking a sandwich to school.  However, this laudable habit is changing more and more with every passing year, and is even leading to an imbalance in childrens’ diets. Why?

Because there isn’t enough time in the morning, because it isn’t as soft as children want, or rather, demand, or simply because we haven’t got them used to them from an early age, fewer children than ever are taking a sandwich to school, at least not one made of good old-fashioned bread.

The sandwich that children take to school for their mid-morning snack is a very important source of energy for them, and helps them to keep their strength up and not go into lunch really hungry.  It is recommended that the sandwich should be prepared at home, and that processed baked cakes and pastries should not be used as a replacement.  And, if it can be accompanied by a piece of fruit, juice or a dairy product, so much the better.

Is the traditional sandwich roll healthy?

Of course it is, as long as the filling is healthy, it’s not too big, and it doesn’t replace lunch or dinner. To be balanced, it should contain carbohydrates, fats, proteins and vegetables, which will provide all the necessary vitamins. Also essential is olive oil, which contains healthy fats. And of course, special care should be taken with fried foods and sauces, because of their high caloric content, so always choose prime-quality cold cuts.

As for the bread, try to make it brown, because it contains more vitamins, minerals and fibre, and has a reduced sugar content. Although you can also opt for breads made with seeds, nuts, rye, and so on.

In short, the secret of a good sandwich is in its ingredients. Quality is very important and does not have to be in conflict with the price, since you can make tasty snacks with very affordable raw materials. It all depends on the combination of foods you put together.

Keep it fresh

The ideal plan for school sandwiches is to prepare them the night before, so that in the morning all you have to do is take them and leave. A perfect trick to keep the bread fresh and not let it get stale is to take particular care with the filling, in other words, if we put several ingredients in the sandwich, it is best to put the driest ones on the outside, for example lettuce, and leave the dampest for the central layer, such as tomato.

On the other hand, when wrapping them, it is convenient to first wrap them with kitchen towels or paper napkins and then cover them with transparent film so that they do not dry out. Then we should put them into a zip-lock bag and leave them in the fridge.

Many people also use aluminium foil to wrap the sandwich. If you prefer this option, it is recommended to also wrap it in kitchen paper, so that the aluminium does not come into direct contact with the bread.

The taste of tradition

Who doesn’t remember those wonderful sandwiches stuffed with chocolate or jelly? This national tradition is almost forgotten today. Choose a good chocolate or take a spoonful of homemade quince and spread it on bread, and you’ll see how your children will love it – and adults too!

And if occasionally you do have to give them a store-bought cake, don’t worry about it either. As they say, 'once a year doesn’t hurt'. Although home-made is always best, once in a while doesn’t do any harm, so long as we don’t do this too often.