PARENTS are being advised to make wise choices for their child’s school lunchbox in an effort to stem the already high rate of childhood obesity and boost concentration levels.
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The latest Australian statistics indicate 25 per cent of children aged two to 17 are overweight or obese.
Of these, seven per cent are obese and one in five Australian children are overweight or obese by the time they start school.
Given the latest statistics, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) says what children find in their lunchboxes is more important than ever.
Health Promotion Coordinator Brendan Pearson said balanced healthy lunches will help create both good health and promote learning.
“Teachers often tell us alarming stories of lunchboxes full of packaged food, high in fat, salt and added sugar,” she said.
“The link between good nutrition and children’s learning is clear, studies show eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients positively aids mental capacity and concentration,
“If children acquire good eating habits early they are more likely to continue into adulthood and reduce their chances of becoming overweight if they are also physically active.”
The widening waistlines have been linked to the growing convenience of fast food, processed foods, and sugar-loaded drinks causing MLHD to advise families on what to pack in their child’s lunchbox.
A good helping of fruit and vegetables
- In season and fresh is cheapest. Some summer fruits are strawberries, melon, peach, nectarine and grapes. Small tins of fruit are also good: those with no added sugar in the syrup
- Add raw vegie such as carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and capsicum as snacks or use as fillings in sandwiches, rolls or pita bread
- ·They can also be added to cooked lunch dishes of rice or pasta.
Some starchy food
- Bread, rice, and pasta, preferably wholemeal or high fibre and potatoes.
A small portion of lean protein
- Boiled eggs, beans or lean meat such as beef or chicken, tuna or salmon in sandwiches and rolls or with cooked rice or pasta
- Add in some veggies
- Avoid high fat spreads and try a little avocado, low fat mayonnaise, mustard or ricotta cheese instead.
Reduced fat dairy food
- A small portion of reduced fat yoghurt cheese or milk