Childrens pack lunches - ham, salami and processed meats

Parents are being advised to avoid putting ham, salami and processed meat into children’s sandwiches and lunch boxes to avoid them developing bad eating habits that could put them at a higher risk of bowel cancer in later life following research into causes by the world Cancer research fund. According to the research more than 70g of processed meats, thats the equivalent of about three rashes of bacon could be a major contributor to bowel cancer in adults.

The charity advised parents to replace processed meats with poultry, fish, low-fat cheese, hummus or small amounts of lean meat in sandwiches. The research has also highlighted advice that parent should avoid too many high fat, sugary and high calorie foods in pack lunches that could cause children to become overweight as this is also classed by scientists as a major contributory factor of cancers.

For more information on healthy lunch boxes visit

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mostof_childrenlunchbox.shtml

http://www.healthylunch.org.uk/packedlunch/content/

picture from www.bbc.co.uk