The following are healthy lunch choices from parents:
A parent in Illinois makes her own sliced meat.
"My husband and I grill/roast chicken breasts, turkey, or roast beef. We then slice and freeze the meat for future sandwiches. We like this method because we are able to control (for the most part) the amount of fat and salt that is added in the cooking process."
A parent in Connecticut says she gives her daughter sunflower seed butter and jelly sandwiches. "This is not only a healthy alternative to deli meat, but sunflower butter has a similar taste and consistency to peanut butter, and is a safe alternative for many kids with peanut allergies."
As the school year approaches and parents begin to think about packing their children's lunches, the World Cancer Research Fund is recommending that parents avoid using processed meats because of possible cancer concerns.
A cancer foundation urges parents to avoid giving kids processed meats.
Parents often serve their kids processed meats because they are convenient and cheap, and children enjoy them. Dr. Marie Savard, ABC News medical contributor, said that the concern about these meats stems from possible carcinogens, such as nitrites.
Savard cited several studies that have linked eating large amounts of red meat and processed meats to an increased risk of colorectal, prostate and stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
And those studies, Savard told "Good Morning America", were only in adults.
"Why would we risk our children?" she said. "I think we give our kids more processed meats because it's easy."
The American Cancer Society recommends limiting consumption of processed meats. Studies of this issue have found increased risk of colorectal cancer in women who eat more than one ounce, or one slice, of processed meat more than two to three times per week, and men who eat more than one ounce five to six days per week.
Setting aside the American Cancer Society's warning, experts say processed meats can also contain large amounts of saturated fats and salt.
Savard noted that a generic turkey sandwich has nearly the same amount of salt as a hotdog and bun -- nearly the maximum allowance of salt for the entire day.
Too much sodium, Savard said, increases blood volume, forcing your heart to work harder and putting more pressure on your arteries, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease or a stroke.
Food for healthy choices can be purchased in Norfolk, Virginia at Food Lion, Farm Fresh, and at the Norfolk Commissary.
Sharon’s site: http://www.babykidscanread.com
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