Experts say there’s something seriously wrong with this lunch box, but can you spot what it is?

At first glance, it looks like a typical school lunch box, complete with a sandwich, snack, and drink.

But experts at Cancer Council NSW say lurking somewhere in the photo is an “uncomfortable truth”.

2

2

While this lunch box containing ham sandwiches, fruit rolls, yogurt, crisps, and fruit drinks may not immediately trigger any alarm bells, it actually packs a punch. Double the sugar and half the fiber of a lunch box with cheese and tomato bread, fruit, veggie sticks, and yogurt.

At the same time, unhealthy lunch boxes cost twice as much as healthier lunch boxes, and it’s all because of the prepackaged items.

Cancer Council NSW senior nutrition program officer Nina Tan said many parents buy prepackaged snacks at school because it saves them time or because of pressure from their children. .

“When it comes to prepackaged foods, companies are plastering them with nutrition-related marketing claims like ‘source of calcium’ or ‘artificial free…’, while adding color, flavor, and flavorings. Cartoons and fonts are designed to appeal to both parents and children,” she said.

“Bright colors, cartoon animals and fun shapes are used to attract children, and words like ‘no need to be cold’ and ‘perfect lunch box cookies’ are used to attract children. parents’ desire in choosing easy and fast lunch box for them. kids, but these snacks can be packed with sugar, salt, and kilojoules and often don’t provide kids with the nutrients they need. “

Of 140 popular lunchbox-packaged snacks assessed by Cancer Council NSW, it found almost 80 per cent could be classed as unhealthy.

“However, the vast majority of products have marketing claims on the packaging, such as ‘no artificial colors or additives’, ‘no preservatives,’ and ‘made with natural ingredients,’” says Ms. Tan. real ingredients”.

Ms Tan said Cancer Council NSW was “particularly interested” in the results regarding the role of lunchbox snacks in children’s diets.

She said: “Forty-four per cent of the energy Australian children consume at school comes from discretionary foods, such as sweet and savory biscuits and cereal bars.

To help parents make informed choices when it comes to food for their children, Cancer Council NSW has launched the new website Healthylunchbox.com.au, featuring snack ideas, recipes, and recipes. cooking tips, tips on how to read food labels, and an interactive lunch box generator for the kids.

This story was originally published on News.com.au and has been republished here with permission.