It’s important to recognise it’s not a ban all together.
The department of health alongside the canteen association state these food are off the menu in the school setting but “ there is ample opportunity to consume “red” food and drinks outside school hours at the discretion of the parents and carers”.
There is a Healthy food and drink policy in WA public schools. In a public health setting this is to govern the health and well being of growing children. Red foods lack nutritional value and often energy dense.
The World Health organisation classifies processed meats including ham as a group 1 carcinogen ( known to cause cancer) .The Cancer council recommends cutting out processed meat altogether or keep them to an absolute minimum to reduce bowel and stomach cancer risk during the life cycle.
How have school lunches changed over the years?
Fresh is best, we have a greater reliance on pre-packaged processed foods.
A wholegrain sandwich filled with a lean protein, a serve of vegetables and cheese is still a very underrated yet perfectly balance school meal. Ironically, we have moved away from the humble sandwich and have a greater reliance on prepacked foods from the supermarket which can lack nutritional value.
Is there anything wrong with Aussie staples like a cheese and Vegemite sandwich?
Foods should not be labelled as good or bad.
In a lunch box we should aim to have 4-5 food groups to ensure nutrient adequacy for a growing child.
Does social media putting pressure on parents to provide the perfect lunch for their children?
As with all things social media perception is not always reality. Rather we as parents should focus on a responsive feeding approach. It is important to work with your own child’s tastes, sensory sensitivities, textural preference to meet there nutritional needs.
Tips for packing lunches for you children:
There are excellent resources to help build knowledge, organise, and prepare us.
- https://www.crunchandsip.com.au
- https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating
Take the pressure off lunch box preparation, involved your child in the process. Add some vitamin F (FUN): make it a fun activity you do together to build skills and experience with food preparation.
Last Thought: Prioritise breakfast so that the child is mentally and physically ready to thrive in the school setting.
References: Bouvard V, Loomis D, Guyton KZ, et al. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. Lancet Oncol 26 Oct 2015,
