What shouldn't be in the lunchbox? Expert explained

Dietitian Cansu Arslan emphasized the points to be considered while preparing lunchboxes.

Dietitian Cansu Arslan, who works at Sivas Medicana Hospital, made explanations about what should and should not be in the lunchboxes of students in the newly started education and training life. Emphasizing the importance of feeding time and drinking water for children who are active throughout the day, listening to lectures, running and getting tired, Arslan said, “It is extremely important for children to have breakfast habits at home. The importance of breakfast in school success has been supported by studies. Homemade cakes, milk, apples or bagels, feta cheese, tomato-cucumber slices can be given as examples of good nutrition choices at feeding time, which we consider as snacks. The amount of food you prepare should be well adjusted and care should be taken not to increase.”

“Let's fight childhood obesity at school too”

Stating that the bag should not contain smelly foods such as sausage, salami, sausage, doner, fried foods and packaged products such as chips and wafers, Arslan said, “Let's put seasonal fruits peeled and cut into the diet. Let's be sensitive about fruits that everyone can have at home. Let's not buy ready-made fruit juice. Instead, let's squeeze it at home or prefer milk or buttermilk. If nothing else, let's add the fruit itself. Optionally, we can also add a small amount of unshelled nuts. Let's continue to fight childhood obesity, the problem of our age, at school. We should be able to convey at this age that children should stay away from high-sugar, salty packaged products and acidic drinks that can cause obesity. By adhering to all these principles, we should aim to raise a healthy generation with high school success and adequate and balanced nutrition.”

“Water is necessary for growth-development activities”

Emphasizing that water is an irreplaceable vital fluid, Arslan said, “It is effective in the functioning of the circulatory and digestive systems, as well as removing waste from our body. It increases focus in lessons. It is necessary for growth-development activities. From this point of view, the concept of 'Water is life' is correct. However, cleanliness is also extremely important in school life. The lunchbox should be cleaned daily. There must be a cover and wet wipes in the lunchbox. Forks can be added when necessary, but cutting materials such as knives should definitely not be kept.”