IT is surely safe to say that we are a nation of sandwich-lovers but, believe it or not, the humble jam sandwich could soon join the list of children's forgotten favourites.

It seems that the once-loved jam sandwich no longer packs a punch in the playground - with other fillings pushing their way into the average 10-year-old's affections.

Spicy chicken, prawns in mayonnaise, and BLTs have all raced into the lunch box top 10 - leaving the classic jam sandwich way behind.

Pizza and chips, perhaps unsurprisingly, tops the hot food charts. But curry, kebabs and pasta dishes have pushed more traditional choices further down the classroom culinary wish-list.

Karen Rhodes, spokeswoman for health food manufacturer Meridian, said that lack of taste in many modern jams was frequently cited by the junior gastronauts as one of the main reasons for the drop in popularity.

"Most modern jams are around two-thirds refined sugar, so it's not surprising that most children find them fairly bland," she said.

"We're finding that kids these days are opting for fruit spreads, which are a healthier alternative and because they contain sugars derived from fruit it makes them naturally tastier."

Children are now taught very early on to recognise more flavours in the food we eat. Baby foods now include lasagne and spaghetti bolognaise as part of their standard ranges, as opposed to the more traditional roast lamb meals. So it's not really surprising that children are demanding more taste in the foods they eat.

This week is British Sandwich Week - which provides the ideal opportunity to try out some new fillings.

Research conducted by the British Cheese Board has revealed that sandwiches, cheese on toast and other bread uses account for more than 60 per cent of cheese consumption.

The latest figures also show that 87 per cent of men and 90 per cent of women use cheddar as a sandwich filling. But while cheddar and pickle is a tasty filling, there are a wealth of other cheeses on offer.

Somerset Brie, Cornish Yarg, Double Gloucester, Red Leicester and British mozzarella are just some of the cheeses to choose from.

According to research commissioned by Nimble, three-quarters of Britons enjoy tucking into sandwiches every day. Around 75 per cent of the country's sandwich lovers prefer to make their own at home because they have more control over the nutritional contents.

And whether it's toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch or slices with soups and salads, bread is a favourite at every mealtime and for snacks on the run. Apparently, bread is one of the hardest foods to give up if you're weight conscious.

Nimble claims to have the answer to those who love their mid-day sandwiches but want to watch the waistline. Nimble comes at less than 50 calories a slice.

Nimble Amazing Grain has 49 calories per slice, Nimble Wholemeal has 43 calories per slice and Nimble White has 46 calories.

So, even if you're trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle, it seems that sandwiches can still remain a part of your diet.