BOLTON pupils have taken part in a national survey which has revealed that mum really does know best when it comes to feeding kids. Schoolchildren told researchers they preferred mum's home cooking because schools served too much junk food. Boys and girls from Bolton School were quizzed for the national study which concluded that pupils did not want to eat pizzas, burgers and chips for dinner every day.

It said they would prefer to try more healthy options like salads or pasta but these were seen as expensive, less filling, harder to get and badly presented.

The study concluded that pupils at private schools like Bolton School generally eat better and are more likely to sit down to a lunchtime meal of meat and two veg.

But children in all types of schools are developing sophisticated tastes because they eat out more than in years gone by.

They get disappointed when burgers, curries and other meals served in schools do not look or taste the same as versions such as McDonalds, the local takeaway or supermarket ready-meals.

And they complain that school salads consist of a limp lettuce rather than the type of salad bars available in restaurant chains.

In fact, children as young as 11 believe school canteens should offer a similar kind of service and quality seen in family restaurants.

But most would rather take a less appetising meal than queue up or wait for the food they really wanted.

And hard-working mums everywhere will be pleased to learn: "The meals which mum serves are seen as being better quality, more appetising to look at, more nutritious, more varied and often more adventurous than those served in school."

The Future of Food in Schools report was carried out on behalf of school caterers Chartwells.

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