School Lunch Shockers: 16 Unhealthy Staples in Kids’ School Lunches

By Krystal Brown

If you are worried about your child’s lunches and want to keep them as healthy as possible, you should avoid these unhealthy staples that are shockingly bad.

Processed Meats

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Processed meats like hot dogs, pepperoni, and bacon are bad for kids’ lunch boxes because they are high in sodium, saturated fat, and unhealthy nitrates. Processed meats are often high in sodium, leading to high blood pressure and other health problems.

Sugary Drinks

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Sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks, are wrong in lunch boxes because they are high in sugar and calories. Sugar can lead to several health problems in children, including weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay. Sugary drinks are also low in nutrients, so they do not give kids the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.

Candy

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Sugar can lead to several health problems in children, including weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay. Unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

Chips

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Chips are often fried in unhealthy oils, such as vegetables or canola. These oils are high in unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats. Unhealthy fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

Cookies

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Cookies are harmful in lunch boxes because they are high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. Cookies are also often high in unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats. Unhealthy fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

Ice Cream

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Ice cream is high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. In addition, ice cream is a dairy product, so it can spoil quickly if it is not stored properly. This can make it dangerous to eat.

Pizza

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Pizza can be a bad choice for kids’ lunch boxes because it is often high in sodium, saturated fat, and calories. It can also be low in nutrients. Pizza is also often high in saturated fat, raising cholesterol levels and increasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

French Fries

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French fries are often high in salt, leading to high blood pressure and other health problems. They are also low in nutrients, so they do not give kids the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.

Chicken Nuggets

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Chicken nuggets are often made with processed meats high in sodium, saturated fat, and unhealthy nitrates. Chicken nuggets are low in nutrients, so they do not provide kids with the vitamins, minerals, and fiber they need to grow and develop properly.

White Bread

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White bread is made from refined flour, which has been stripped of many of its nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. White bread is also high in carbohydrates, which can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes. This can make kids feel tired and irritable.

Fried Foods

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Fried foods are high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and calories. Overall, fried foods are not a healthy choice for kids’ lunch boxes. There are many other healthier and more nutritious options available, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

Processed Snacks

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Processed snacks, such as granola bars, fruit snacks, and yogurt tubes, are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Processed snacks can be addictive. They often contain artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners that can make kids crave them more.

Artificial Sweeteners

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Artificial sweeteners are often found in processed foods and drinks. They are controversial, and some studies have linked them to health problems.

Artificial Flavors

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Artificial flavors may interfere with normal taste development. Artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar, so they can make other foods taste less sweet. This can lead to kids developing a preference for very sweet foods, increasing their risk of obesity and other health problems later in life.

Artificial Colors

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Artificial Colors are often found in processed foods and drinks. They are not necessary, and some experts believe they may be harmful to health. It may increase the risk of allergies. Artificial colors may trigger allergic reactions in some children, including hives, asthma, and eczema.

Preservatives

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Preservatives are often found in processed foods and drinks. They are used to extend the shelf life of food, but some preservatives have been linked to health problems.

Processed Cheese

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Processed cheese is often high in saturated and trans fats. These fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions. Additionally, Processed cheese often contains artificial ingredients, such as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. These ingredients may not be healthy for kids, especially in large amounts.

Takeout Leftovers

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Leftovers can spoil quickly, especially if they are not stored properly. This can lead to food poisoning, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other health problems. In addition, leftovers may lose some of their nutritional value over time. This is because nutrients can be destroyed by heat, light, and air.

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