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As the back-to-school season approaches, many parents grapple with the daily dilemma of what to pack in their kids' lunchboxes or whether to opt for hot school dinners.
Many believe a homemade packed lunch is the healthiest and most nutritious option. However, lunchboxes often end up filled with processed snacks and high sugar content.
Did you know the average child's lunch box can contain up to five times the NHS’s recommended daily amount of sugar for kids?
The NHS recommends that children aged four to six consume no more than five teaspoons of sugar a day. Shockingly, many lunch boxes contain upwards of twenty-five teaspoons of sugar!
This excessive sugar often comes from snacks that appear healthy but are actually packed with sugar and harmful additives. Items like yoghurts, fruit juices, and cereal bars, while seemingly nutritious, can be detrimental to children's health. For instance:
High-sugar products such as...
- Tesco Yogurt Coated Strawberry Bites - 15.5g of sugar (4 teaspoons)
- Innocent Smoothie Strawberry Raspberry & Apple - 15g of sugar (3.5 teaspoons)
- Munch Bunch Double Up Fromage Frais Strawberry & Vanilla yoghurt - 9g of sugar (2 teaspoons)
can each contain more than double the NHS’s recommended daily sugar intake for children.
@tonichealth A Typical Kids LunchBox In The Uk…👀🥪 #kids #parents #health #hack #lunch #lunchbox ♬ original sound - Tonichealth
Harmful Hot School Dinners
Despite Jamie Oliver’s 2005 campaign and documentary "Jamie's School Dinners," which led to a £220m government investment to improve school meal standards, progress has been minimal. The main changes include the banning of Turkey Twizzlers and limiting fried food to twice a week.
A review of school dinner menus across the UK reveals inconsistent nutritional value. While some meals are balanced with protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, others offer minimal nutrients and only one serving of vegetables. Desserts vary from fruit and yoghurt to sugary options like brownies or cake.
Weekly menus often include unhealthy choices such as:
- Cheese and Tomato Pizza with Potato Wedges
- Cheese and Five Bean Tomato Pasta
- Potato, Leek, and Cheese Pie
- Vegan Sausage Roll with Potato Wedges
On the healthier side, there are options like...
- Roast Chicken with Roast Potatoes and Gravy
- Mediterranean Vegetables with Couscous
- accompanied by seasonal vegetables, salad, and bread
Although these meals are better, they still fall short of ideal nutritional standards for children’s development.
So, What’s the Solution?
@tonichealth How I Would Make A Healthy Lunchbox For My Kid👨👩👧✅
♬ original sound - Tonichealth
1. Greek Yoghurt: Swap sugary kids’ yoghurts for Greek yoghurt—note, not Greek-style but true Greek yoghurt. It’s lower in sugar and higher in protein.
2. Salted Rice Cakes: Replace crisps with salted rice cakes. They offer a satisfying crunch without excess fat and salt.
3. Real Fruit: Opt for fresh fruit instead of fruit smoothies. Fresh fruit provides essential vitamins and fibre without the added sugars found in many smoothies.
4. Babybel Cheese: Choose Babybel cheese over sausage rolls. It’s a healthier, protein-rich option that’s also easy to pack.
These simple changes can ensure your child’s lunch is both delicious and nutritious!
The Secret Weapon?
Tonic Health Immunity gummies to ensure your child is getting all the vitamins they need.
