NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Nutritionists say 'no thanks' to the high fat and high salt content of store-bought prepackaged school lunches.
"The premade lunches are high in fat, especially saturated fat, cholesterol, and usually very, very high in sodium [salt]," warns registered dietitian Beth Letford of the Henry Ford Hospital's Heart Smart program in Detroit.
Prepackaged school lunches may seem like a busy parent's dream, but the reality is that kids' health might pay a price.
"The problem, specifically for kids, are the saturated fats that are in these lunches." Letford continues, "And they also get used to eating a higher salt diet, something that would continue on into adulthood. There isn't a specific need for kids to have a lot of salt."
The solution? Spend a little time searching for lunch ingredients that taste great and are good for kids, Letford advises.
"The fruits and vegetables are a good place to start... as far as getting high amounts of vitamins and minerals, good sources of fiber and antioxidants," Letford says.
What about sandwiches? "The sandwich meats that are store-bought are still high in sodium. If you can get them from a deli... they're fresher and don't have as much sodium," she recommends.
Letford adds that sliced turkey and ham are the best bets for low fat. Sausage-like meats such as bologna or salami are guaranteed to send the fat count rising.
She says low-fat cheeses (less than 3 gms per serving) and low-fat crackers like Reduced-Fat Triscuits or Garden Crisps make great snack food.
Letford says educating kids about healthy, tasty eating habits is a lesson they can learn even when the lunch bell rings.
SOURCE: Henry Ford Hospital Health Tips press release (Fall 1996)
