Top 8 School Lunches Loved by Kids Around the World

In France, school lunch menus are typically planned two months in advance by the cafeteria staff and then reviewed by nutrition experts. These specialists may suggest adjustments to balance the amount of carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, and fiber in each meal. For instance, on Mondays, children might have a cucumber and tomato salad, mushroom-marinated veal with broccoli, cheese bread, and apple tart for dessert.

Most food is fresh, prepared daily with no frozen items, and the bread is sourced from a local bakery. School meals often feature at least one organic dish, and students are only allowed to drink water instead of milk or fruit juice. Notably, once a month, students enjoy a fully organic meal.

Lunch breaks in France usually last between one to two hours. If students prefer, they can go home for lunch during this time.

Turkish cuisine is a unique fusion of European and Asian influences, where it's common to enjoy rice, salad, french fries, and tofu sauce all in one meal. When it comes to school lunches, Turkish children often prepare their own meals from available ingredients, or mothers take care of it for them.
Here's an example of a packed lunch prepared at home for a student: Rye bread, walnuts, grapes, apples, pomegranates, and kefir (a fermented milk drink rich in enzymes and beneficial bacteria that help with digestion). All these ingredients are environmentally friendly, nutrient-rich, and contribute to boosting brain function.

When people think of South Korea, they often associate it with bold, spicy dishes like kimchi, Tteokbokki (rice cakes), and a variety of complex meals such as soybean paste soup, mixed rice, and spicy noodles. South Korea is known for its strict adherence to nutritional standards, which makes its school meal system one of the best in the world.
If you look at the image below, you will notice that the largest portions on the tray typically consist of soup and rice, while smaller portions are reserved for salad, seafood, vegetables, and fruits. In particular, children who are underweight are given fish oil to help them gain weight and become healthier. Some popular dishes include kimchi, sesame leaf rice rolls with honey sauce, pumpkin soup, savory pancakes with green onions, chili peppers, octopus, and cucumber and carrot salad.

With a long-established school lunch program, Brazil now provides daily lunches to over 43 million students across the country. Given the high rates of malnutrition and obesity in Brazilian children, the school lunch program not only helps to reduce childhood illnesses but also changes the way kids approach food.
School menus are developed and overseen by nutrition experts working for local and state governments. Processed foods, as well as items containing excessive sugar, salt, and saturated fats, are restricted. Brazilian school lunches are colorful and nutritious, featuring dishes like pork ribs with vegetables, black beans with fried rice, salad, bread, and baked bananas.

Finland became the first country in the world to offer free school lunches to students in 1948, but that doesn't mean the nutritional quality of these meals is overlooked. Meals in Finnish schools are carefully designed to meet all the nutritional requirements set by the National Nutrition Council.
A lunch is considered balanced only when students eat all components of their meal. In the cafeteria, students serve themselves, and older students assist younger ones, offering guidance on healthy choices. Schools are rewarded for providing nutritious, educational, and eco-friendly meals through collaborative efforts from various managing bodies.

“Shokuiku – food education and nutrition” is an integral part of Japan's school curriculum. From an early age, children are taught the importance of meals for both physical and mental well-being. Japanese school lunches are known for their high standards, balance, and scientific approach. From a young age, children are educated about nutrition and the discipline of eating, contributing to Japan's low obesity rate, the lowest in the world.
Japanese school lunches typically include rice, soup, salad, a meat or fish dish, and a 200ml carton of milk. Additionally, monthly offerings may include cocoa milk or yogurt. The rice is rarely plain; it is often enhanced with mushrooms or wakame seaweed, and sometimes the students have fried rice or mixed rice. Occasionally, noodles are served.
The menu and the frequency of each dish vary according to the plans of each school's nutritionist. The meals also reflect seasonal festivals, such as pumpkin served on the winter solstice and chocolate desserts on Valentine's Day.

School lunches in the UK are designed to be simple yet nutritious, providing students with the energy needed for afternoon classes and play. Due to cultural differences, British children tend to prefer fast food options, like pizza, fries, and fried chicken, over more nutrient-dense meals that require complex preparation, like those found in Japan and Korea.
As a result, dishes such as crispy fries, carrots, porridge, salad, fruit, and Belgian waffles dipped in chocolate have become the most popular choices in British schools. Many schools are restricted by tight budgets, so they often serve quick and affordable fast food. But it's okay because the children enjoy it, and it’s cost-effective.

As both the UK and the US are Western countries, their popular foods share many similarities. Both adults and children in the US tend to favor fast, convenient meals. School lunches in the US offer detailed nutritional information (such as fat, vitamins, protein, salt, and sugar content) for each item on the menu.
Here’s an example of a typical lunch in a school in Utah, USA: fresh peaches, corn, chicken, and soup. With 50 states, school lunches in the US vary significantly from state to state. However, one common trend is that students often enjoy fast and convenient foods like cereals, chips, and pizza. Additionally, many American mothers also prepare packed lunches for their children.