A tasty and healthy way to get back into the swing of things
13 August 2026
The summer holidays are flying by! From Monday 17 August, the first schools in the Netherlands will be reopening. That means setting the alarm, filling lunchboxes and getting out the door on time again in the mornings. After weeks when things were allowed to be a bit more relaxed, it’s time to get back into the daily routine. And that’s the perfect time to make fruit and veg a regular part of your day again.
Start your day with a splash of colour
A busy day at school or work naturally starts with a good breakfast. Fruit is an easy way to add a splash of colour straight away. Why not try strawberries, berries or other seasonal fruit mixed into your yoghurt or porridge?
Do you have a bit more time in the morning? Why not try making a summery smoothie with soft fruits? This smoothie, packed with redcurrants, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, contains no less than 250 grams of fruit per person. It’s a great way to hold on to that summer feeling for a little while longer, even when the alarm goes off early again.
Add a splash of colour to your lunchbox
Taking sandwiches? Great! But of course there’s plenty more you can pack in a lunchbox. Adding fruit and veg not only makes your lunch more colourful, but also adds some variety.
A lovely alternative, for example, is pancakes filled with fruit. These wholemeal pancakes are filled with cream cheese and fruit. An ideal lunch to take to school or work. They’re especially delicious with seasonal fruit.
Prefer something savoury? Then why not try the Italian wrap with sage? A wholemeal wrap with tomato, courgette and mozzarella, which you fold into a handy little parcel. The recipe contains no less than 145 grams of vegetables per person. Make it the night before and you’ll have something different from the usual sandwich the next day.
Don’t forget your snack
At ten o’clock, at four o’clock, after school or on the way to the sports club: on a busy day, there are plenty of moments when you might get peckish. Make it easy on yourself by having something ready to hand. An apple or banana can easily be popped into your bag, and snack vegetables are handy to take with you too. Think, for example, of snack cucumbers, cherry tomatoes or strips of pepper.
Preparation = easier choices
The first few weeks of school often take some getting used to. New timetables, sports clubs starting up again and perhaps a bit of a morning rush at the breakfast table.
A bit of preparation can help. Wash the fruit in advance, put snack vegetables in the fridge, or prepare lunch the night before. And get the children involved: for example, let them choose which piece of fruit or which vegetables they want to take with them the next day.