Why Bagged Lunches Aren’t as Healthy as Cafeteria Food
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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Do you pack lunch for your children to bring to school? A new study says it may be healthier to have them buy food at the cafeteria.
A study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics on Monday found that 9 out of 10 lunches brought from home included chips, desserts, and sweetened drinks. While lunches made at home contained fewer calories on average, they also had more sodium and fewer servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk.
The author of the study, child nutrionist Karen Cullen, says parents need to be pickier about what they pack.
“I think that this is an opportunity for parents to get their children involved in discussing what makes good choices for a school meal and how you go about planning and going to the grocery store, getting the foods and packing those items,” Cullen said. “A suggestion would be for parents to make sure that the healthier choices are also in those lunches that provide the kids with all the food groups they need.”
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