29 January 2010
HEART FOUNDATION URGES PARENTS TO UNCLOG KIDS’ ARTERIES
WITH A SWIPE OF THE KNIFE
Australia’s leading heart health charity is concerned about the state of the nation’s
lunchboxes, as millions of Australian children are heading back to school.
In homes across the nation, parents are dealing with the age-old problem of what to
put in their children’s lunchbox that is both healthy and something that kids will
actually eat! But just switching from butter to margarine could be the answer!
“Everyone knows that our children are consuming too much saturated fat – in fact,
studies have shown that it is as high as twice the recommended levels,” said Susan
Anderson, National Director of Healthy Weight, Heart Foundation.
“But did you know that butter and dairy spreads contribute almost 70% of the
saturated fat we eat from spreads?
“By replacing butter with margarine, five days a week, forty weeks a year, over an
entire school career you can remove almost 11kg of saturated fat from your child’s
diet. This is important because butter contains 50 percent saturated animal fat; the
sort of unhealthy fat that clogs the arteries, even from childhood. So it’s critical that
parents act now.
“Getting your children involved in choosing healthier lunches – and, most importantly,
knowing why the choices are healthy – will also help your child to make better food
choices in adulthood,” said Susan Anderson.
Cardiovascular disease is Australia’s biggest killer, claiming more than 46,000 lives in
this country every year; that’s a life lost every 10 minutes.
“The Heart Foundation doesn’t want to scare parents into action but it’s important for
parents to know that, even in childhood, our food and lifestyle choices can and do
affect our heart health in adulthood. So, whatever is on your kids’ lunches, you can
make it healthier with the simple swipe of a knife,” Susan Anderson said.
Heart Foundation: Australia's leading voice on heart health, the Heart Foundation saves lives
and improves health through funding world class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health
professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. As a
charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in Wills to continue its lifesaving
research, education and health promotion work.
For information contact:
Siobhan O’Neill, Media and Communications Manager, Heart Foundation
T: (03) 9321 1536 / M: 0418 171 527 / E: siobhan.oneill@heartfoundation.org.au
QUICK AND EASY TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LUNCHBOX!
1.
Choose reduced fat dairy foods for all kids over two years
2.
Choose Tick-approved ham for sandwiches – it’s lower in saturated fat and salt than
regular ham or luncheon meals
3.
Switch sweet biscuits for a slice of raisin bread spread with margarine
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