How Healthy Is Today's Much Loved School Lunchbox?

How Healthy Is Today's Much Loved School Lunchbox?

Nearly a quarter of all Australian children aged 5 to 11 years are overweight or obese, a statistic which despite ongoing national education initiatives, has not improved in the last four years. Research released today by Rafferty's Garden, aimed at understanding the everyday challenges Mums face in getting their children to enjoy a healthy diet, reveals the alarming reality faced.

With more than one third of school aged children not eating enough fruit each day the research is timely. A staggering 81% of Aussie mums with children aged 4-12 years find packing their children's lunch boxes a challenge with 50% citing the main difficulty is finding foods that are healthy, nutritious and value for money. 1 in 4 mums admit that it is a struggle to get their children to eat the healthy items packed in their lunchbox.

Leading Australian nutritionist Karen Kingham says, 'Eating too many snack foods high in added sugar and/or fat is likely to be contributing to the weight issues of Australian kids. Mums know sugary and fatty snacks are not good for their kids, but it can be difficult finding healthy, nutritious alternatives kids will eat that don't cost the earth."

'Snacks can make up as much as half of a child's total energy intake each day, so it's important we give snacks as much attention as we do their main meals if we want to boost nutrition and keep our kids a healthy weight. Snacks like newly launched LB1 Healthy Snack, a pureed fruit snack containing nothing but 100% real fruit, are an ideal healthy, nutritious and affordable option for the lunchbox."

Rafferty's Garden, the highly regarded Australian baby food brand, has extended its product range to the school playground with the introduction of LB1 (Lunch Box #1) to cater for school kids and to help address the evident need for healthy snacks.

'With the majority of Mums (79%) wanting their children to eat more fruit, LB1 Healthy Snack is certainly a lunchbox solution that can help. Containing 100% real fruit and no added sugar, colours, flavours or preservatives, the range can help to ensure kids are getting the fruit they need and a valuable source of fibre" comments Karen Kingham.

The LB1 squeezy pouches are designed for the lunchbox, won't drip or leak, and can be resealed to finish off later. LB1 can be kept in the pantry until opened, and will then keep for another two days in the fridge. In summer, throw an LB1 straight from the freezer into the kids' lunchboxes for a deliciously refreshing icy cold treat at recess, with the added bonus of keeping the rest of the lunchbox cool.

LB1 Healthy Snack is available in six delicious flavour combinations including Raspberry, Apple & Peach; Strawberry, Banana, Peach & Pear; Blackcurrent, Raspberry, Banana & Apple; Mango Peach Apple; Pear, Banana & Mango and Pomegranate, Banana & Apple.

LB1 can be found in all Woolworths supermarkets, RRP $1.99. For more information and to view the entire Rafferty's Garden LB1 product range visit www.lb1.com.au