Data on contents of 6000 Aussie lunch boxes reveals shock diet results

Lunch box wars have reached a stalemate with teachers now too afraid to criticise unhealthy snacks for fear of sparking the ire of busy parents, resulting in kids turning up with a shocking collection of junk.

LUNCH BOX wars have reached a stalemate with many teachers now too afraid to criticise unhealthy snacks for fear of sparking the ire of busy parents, resulting in kids turning up with a shocking collection of junk.

A new study into common lunch box foods, with data taken last year from 6000 school lunch boxes across the nation including Queensland, shows the good health messages are not getting through and exposes the realities of the average lunch box.

An Aussie kids typical lunch included a massive 29 ingredients, including nine additives, four of which can be linked to hyperactivity and learning problems, more than a day’s recommended sugar, chips, savoury crackers, sweet biscuits, flavoured milk and even lollies.

Zombie-like kids barely move for 11 hours a day, reveals landmark health check

The investigation was lead by Belinda Smith, the co-founder of The Root Cause, a mum of two and health coach. Bel and her husband Israel travelled Australia gathering information from 35 schools for her new book The Lunchbox Effect due for release next month.

Bianca McInnes-Ball’s children Havana, 3, Nevaeh, 9, Harmony, 6, and Haven, 3, love their healthy lunches. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Parents have never been so busy and food manufacturers are pushing packaged, convenience foods as healthy options but they are far from healthy. Many parents are unknowingly giving their kids the wrong foods for good health and behaviour. Teachers get frustrated because they are the ones that have to deal with energy slumps or hyperactive kids,” Ms Smith told The Courier-Mail.

As 30 to 40 per cent of daily food intake is from lunch boxes and the fact that there are more than 220,000 overweight or obese children in Queensland, the findings highlight the need for parents to try for change in 2020.

“No one needs to be perfect and have Instagram worthy lunch boxes. That is the problem, too much pressure. If a child must have a bag of chips now and again make sure they are plain without the flavourings and additives. Try to cut back on the number of ingredients in the lunch box. The average is almost 30 which is a lot. Keep it simple with as little packaged foods as possible and add more fruits and vegetables,” Ms Smith said.

Gold Coast mum Bianca McInnes Ball believes in keeping lunches simple.

“I have bento boxes for the kids and there is a space for protein, greens, fruit and salad. There is no need for unhealthy treats in the lunch box but once in a while the kids enjoy some seaweed or avocado sushi. I can see a decline in behaviour if they eat unhealthy food,” she said.