8 lunch box snacks that should be avoided

Turns out, peanut butter and nuts are not the only two no-nos when it comes to school lunch box etiquette. There are more snacks that schools are asking mums to add to the naughty list.

Keep reading to find out what NOT to pack in your little one’s lunch.

The epidemic of unhealthy lunch boxes

A school lunch box can potentially make up to 30-50% of our child’s daily food intake.

However, according to a study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, most parents are not quite getting it right when it comes to healthy school lunches.

The study, done by the University of Adelaide in Australia, tracked the food consumption of 430 children aged nine and 10 over six months.

The study uncovered a number of issues and confirmed that almost half of a child’s daily energy requirements came from “discretionary” or junk foods.

As a result, it’s really important that us mums educate ourselves on what foods to avoid.

Here are eight lunch box snacks to avoid.

1. Packaged fruit juice and juice boxes

It’s fruit, right? No. It’s sugary fruit drink. Most store-purchased fruit juices are loaded with added sugars (on top of the naturally occurring ones). While a fruit juice is okay as a ‘sometimes snack’, it is best to be avoided at school. Opt for water and a whole piece of fruit instead.

2. Pre-packaged muesli bars

Wrapped in easy-to-open individual packaging, it seems like muesli bars are designed especially for school lunches. And it’s so easy to grab one out of the pantry and add it to the lunch box for extra padding. But, turns out, many muesli bars are just jam packed with added sugar, refined starch and fat.

Not all muesli bars should be treated equally – look for ones that are high in oats, barely, nuts and seeds. Or, we suggest making your own.

Check out our recipe for Energy Boosting Chocolate Chia Muesli Bites here for a great lunch box option.

3. Savoury crackers

Many of the savoury crackers out there contain just as much salt and fat as regular chips. Again, not all do so look for the crackers that are made from wholegrains. Crispbread or rice cakes are healthier options too.

4. Flavoured milk

Milk is good for kids, right? Yes, but not when it’s flavoured with tablespoons and tablespoons of colourful sugar.

And drinking milk that has been sitting in an esky or lunch box all morning probably isn’t that great of an idea either, especially during the summer months. Stick to water for a school lunch box drink.

5. Snack packs

Snack packs seem like a school lunch staple (or they are at least marketed to mums this way) but they have no place in your child’s lunch box. Why? Because they are loaded with processed carbohydrates, salt and fat. Make your own snack pack with whole grain crackers and your own slices of cheese.

6. Packaged dried fruit straps

Dried fruit isn’t always a bad choice but it’s best to make your own fruit straps if you can. Packaged fruit leather tends to be high in sugar and can lead to oral health problems in kids. Try our super easy, kid friendly 2 ingredient fruit straps for a delicious lunch box option that’s sure to get gobbled up.

7. Packaged chocolate spread

Traditional packaged chocolate spread contains very little nutritional value. Although delicious, many are loaded with teaspoons and teaspoons of added sugar. When it comes to lunch box spreads, it’s best to stick to dips and spreads that pack nutritional substance such as avocado spread, hummus, cottage cheese and tzatziki.

8. Processed meat

If your kids are anything like ours, they get sick of sandwiches around week three. Mini sausages seem like a fun alternative (with a little dollop of salsa on the side). But these processed snacks are no good. To beat the sandwich rut, try wraps, veggies and dip, wholemeal pikelets or mini pizzas.