Third Sector
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Youngsters tempted by takeaway lunches need menu information

Youngsters are blindly eating salty lunches packed with saturated fat, according to the results of a new lunch survey.

The Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) found some kids were leaving school at lunchtime and choosing to eat unhealthy meals from nearby burger bars and kebab shops.

And Environmental Health food teams found some takeaway meals sold near schools contained more than one and a half times more salt and three times more saturated fat than an adult’s maximum daily recommendations.

Mubeen Bhutta, policy manger at British Heart Foundation, said:

“Takeaway meals like these contain disturbing amounts of saturated fat and youngsters need to have the full picture about what they are eating.

“The problem is takeaways and restaurants aren't telling us what’s in the food we're buying.

Putting information about calories, fat and salt on the menu or at the till would mean we’d all know more about what we’re thinking of eating, and encourage people to make healthier choices.”

We have plenty of tips for parents wanting to serve up tasty and healthy lunches, including nutritious lunchbox ideas for the week.
 

 

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