THREE QUARTERS OF PARENTS FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THEIR CHILD’S SCHOOL LUNCHBOX

NUTRITIONIST: AVERAGE LUNCH BOX CONTAINS MORE ADDED SUGAR THAN ENTIRE DAILY RECOMMENDATION FOR PRIMARY CHILDREN 

A massive three quarters (75%) of British parents with children aged 5 to 13 who make a school lunchbox admit to feeling guilty about what they pack, according to new research released today.

Ahead of back to school week, an Action for Children and You Gov survey revealed the average lunchbox for primary school children contains more than the recommended daily amount of added sugar in just one meal, as well as high levels of calories and salt.

The poll showed parents’ top four favourite lunchbox items are a ham sandwich, yogurt, a packet of crisps, and an apple. A carton of juice was the most popular specific drink picked out by parents, while biscuits and chocolate bars were also popular.

Worryingly, the latest Government statistics show one in three children in England are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. But the charity’s research found that the most important factor for parents in packing a lunchbox was being confident their child would eat what they were given (38%). Making sure the lunchbox is nutritious was the second most important reason at 28%.

In addition to the You Gov research, the charity asked Mumsnet users for their lunchbox confessions. One mum admitted: “My children have WAY too much sugar in their lunchbox – I feel guilty about it all the time and vow to do better every term but with five kids all asking for different things it’s hard.”

Another confessed: “The one time I got my partner to pack lunchboxes he included three liqueur chocolates not realising they were alcoholic… I make all the packed lunches now.”

Brigitte Gater, director for Action for Children in Wales, said: “Most parents understand the pressure to pack a lunchbox that will come home empty at the end of the day. And it makes things even harder when you’re time-poor and budget conscious.

“But it’s clear that childhood obesity is a problem we need to tackle, to save our children from suffering physical and mental health problems when they grow up. Getting eating habits right in these early years isn’t as daunting as it seems with the help of a few clear tips, and it can make a lifetime of difference.

“Parents need the knowledge and confidence to give their child the best start in life when it comes to nutrition. Anyone in need of inspiration for packing a fuss-free healthy lunchbox that your child will want to eat can visit actionforchildren.org.uk/lunchbox.”

Registered Public Health Nutritionist Mari Clark, who designs menus for Action for Children’s Eat Better, Start Better service, says: “Through no fault of their own, many parents simply don’t know exactly what their child needs. This isn’t helped by confusing packaging that has pictures full of fruit and happy children, when the products inside are packed with sugar and fat and salt.

“There is no need for any lunchbox to contain crisps, sweets, processed food, cereal bars, chocolates and things like that – if you have sandwich with some good quality protein, a portion of fruit, veg and dairy then that’s enough.

LUNCHBOX CONFESSIONS’ FROM MUMSNET USERS
“One April Fool’s Day I sent my child in with a miniature whisky bottle filled with apple juice…”

“I lie to my daughter about what her lunchbox contains because school rules are so strict. Danish pastries become ‘apple whirls’ and flapjacks are ‘oat flips’

“I once gave my daughter cheese that I knew was a bit dodgy – it came back up later mixed with the red pepper that had also been in her lunchbox. She’s never let me forget it.”

“I’ve sent my children to school with bread that has been ‘nibbled’ where it’s gone mouldy.”

“My children have WAY too much sugar in their lunchbox – I feel guilty about it all the time and vow to do better every term. I have five kids and they all ask for different things…”

TOP TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PACKED LUNCH FROM ACTION FOR CHILDREN’S NUTRITIONIST
• Swap juice for water or milk. Or choose a low sugar drink or dilute fruit juice 50/50.
• Give your sandwiches or wraps different fillings; cooked chicken, turkey, egg, tuna, low fat cream cheese are all good options
• Ditch the crisps for chopped vegetables and a tasty low-fat dip like hummus
• When you’re shopping, choose the lower salt bread options stocked by most supermarkets
• Use spreads and condiments sparingly and choose lower salt versions
• Don’t pack a sandwich every day. Think salads with pasta, potato, couscous with vegetables and some protein like chicken. Other things to think about include boiled eggs or omelettes.