Most kids' lunchboxes still unhealthy, research suggests

Most kids' lunchboxes in England are unhealthy with fewer than two in 100 meeting the government's nutritional standards, new research suggests.

Only one in five contained any vegetables or salad, a study by the University of Leeds found.

Three lunches didn't meet any of the standards, for things like energy and vitamins, for school food in England.

These contained squash, crisps, a chocolate bar or roll and in once case, a pasty.

Adults have given Newsbeat a peek inside their packed lunches to see if they're any better than the kids'.

More than 300 lunches were examined as part of the study, which also found that more than half had too many sweet and savoury snack items.

Almost as many included a sugary drink.

Only one in four packed meals contained enough iron.

Fewer than one in five met the standards for energy, vitamin A or zinc.

There have been some improvements since a study carried out in 2006.

Now the majority of lunchboxes meet standards for protein and vitamin C and fewer sweetened drinks and chocolate snacks are being eaten.

Children are also eating less saturated fat and sugar but levels are still higher than recommended.

Changes to the guidelines over the last decade mean that more plain biscuits and cakes without chocolate are now allowed.

Jo Nicholas, head of research at the Children's Food Trust, says packed lunches are contributing to the country's child obesity problem.

The organisation says it's "disappointed" not to see packed lunch policies in the government's childhood obesity strategy.

"We've got to do more to help parents and schools with this," she says.

"Putting a packed lunch policy in place can be tough, but every school allowing packed lunches needs one if we're going to make life easier for parents and give kids a consistent message."

Flora, who commissioned the study, is now working with Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of School Food.

She said the group had called for action to be taken on packed lunches.

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