BAN THE HAM

Are we seeing the end of the ham sandwich?

The World Cancer Research Fund is asking parents to stop serving kids processed meat.  The reason? Processed meat such as ham, bologna and salami can lead to bowel cancer.

Cancer Council nutrition manager Kathy Chapman recommends limiting the amount of processed meat a child eats.  There are two reasons for that recommendation:

1 - Processed meats such as ham, bologna, salami, hot dog and pastrami are loaded with sodium nitrite and are high in saturated fat;

2 - Processed meat are low in healthy vitamins and minerals and a child eating only processed meats for lunch is missing out on full nutrition.

Ham sandwiches are easy to prepare and oh-so popular… and OK in moderation. 

What's our new strategy?  Let's keep that ham sandwich once a week, and find other options for the rest of the week:

- tuna sandwich or tuna lunch-pack with baby carrots;

- hard-boiled egg with cherry tomatoes;

- bean dip with vegetable sticks and sunflower seeds;

- home-roasted turkey with lettuce & tomato.

Add a fruit to that and your kids will thank you... in 20 years!