Cancer Council Queensland has urged parents to think twice about their child’s health and wellbeing when packing snacks, to eat at school, and filling lunchboxes.
Spokeswoman Katie Clift said reading food labels and checking the health star rating on packaged products was important for parents to do, as a child’s lunchbox could contain many hidden calories.
“Too often lunchbox snacks are promoted as healthy choices, but contain high levels of saturated fat, sugar and salt, which can negatively impact children’s health and wellbeing,” she said.
“The majority of lunchbox items should be wholefoods from the five recommended food groups.”
Ms Clift encouraged residents to pack whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes, lean meats, eggs, poultry, wholegrain breads and low fat dairy products – including plain milk, yoghurt and cheese.
“Processed and packaged foods should be avoided as much as possible,” she said.
“Parents should check the kilojoule content on packaged food products, keeping in mind that one serve of a ‘discretionary food item’ is 600kj.
“It is also important to read the ingredients list and take note of the sugar, saturated fat and sodium (salt) levels.
“Try to avoid large amounts of added sugars.
“Aim for less than 15g of sugar per 100g and check that sugar is not listed high on the ingredient list.
“The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend four and a half serves of vegetables daily for children four to eight, and five serves a day for children aged nine to 11.”
For more information on how to prepare a healthy lunchbox, visit the Cancer Council Queensland’s website at cancerqld.org.au.
