We've come a long way in what we know about eating well, so "just like you and I had" is not good enough any more, experts say.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s suggestion of a Marmite sandwich and an apple for lunch wouldn’t keep a child full or feed their brain sufficiently, according to local health and education experts.

“If you’re just doing a Marmite sandwich and an apple, you’re probably not meeting the protein requirements [which depend on age and gender],” paediatric dietician Jenny Douglas explained to RNZ.

“Ideally it would be a Marmite and cheese sandwich at least,” she said, noting that the high salt content of Marmite, which could shape one’s palate, giving a child a taste for salty snacks like pies and chips early on.

  • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
    1·
    6 days ago

    Hmm, that’s a good thought but my kids have these compartmented lunch boxes they got from their grandmother. Not a lot of room for an ice pack. I think I’ve heard of special ones designed for lunch boxes, I might look into that. Thanks for the reminder!

    • Skeezix@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 days ago

      I use the small thin gel ice packs that are like ziplock bags. They’re thin and somewhat flexible even when frozen. easy to tuck one over a sandwich

      example

    • absGeekNZ@lemmy.nzEnglish
      2·
      5 days ago

      We tried various “lunchboxes” but they all suck, we reverted to what was used in the 80’s and 90’s; just a 2l ice cream container.

      Reusable bag for sandwich, a little container for pretzels/nuts/dates…whatever, a reusable squeeze pouch for yougurt, a couple of bits of fruit. The compartmented lunchboxes are often just the wrong shape.