Western Australia has introduced a limit on ham in school canteens. Parents are reportedly . So what has changed and what evidence is it based on?
Author
Lauren Ball
Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland
Reclassifying processed meats
The WA Department of Health has reconfigured its system for classifying food and drink in public schools. It uses a traffic light approach, allocating green, amber or red colours to foods and drinks.
Ham and other processed red meats from an “amber” label to a “red” label.
Each colour is on how food and drinks can be sold:
- green items must account for at least 60% of items on a menu
- amber items must account for less than 40% of items on a menu
- red items cannot be on the menu.
There’s one catch. The new guidelines allow ham to be sold as if it is an amber item, only two days per week, if ham was already on a canteen’s menu prior to the reconfiguration.
Why restrict ham?
Singling out nutrients or foods as “good” or “bad” can lead to on diet. Rather than focusing on individual foods, long-term health outcomes are more closely linked to overall .
Ham itself is not inherently considered junk food. It’s a source of protein and many other nutrients.
However, certain types of ham products – especially highly processed or cured hams – are less healthy options for several reasons:
High sodium content
Many commercially available hams, especially highly processed and cured varieties, can be , which is salt.
Excessive sodium intake is with health issues such as high blood pressure and can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.
On average, Australian children than the : 600 mg a day for children aged four to eight and 800 mg a day for those aged nine to 13.
The World Health Organization says reducing sodium is nations can improve the health of their populations.
Additives
Some processed hams may contain , preservatives and flavour-enhancers we should limit.
Saturated fat
While ham is a good source of protein, certain cuts can be higher in saturated fat.
Any ham sold in canteens under the new rules (where ham is treated as an “amber” food until the canteen menu changes) must have .
Diets high in saturated fat are . However, not all research .
Processing methods
The methods to process and cure ham may involve smoking, which can produce compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In large quantities, these , including increasing the risk of bowel cancer.
What are some ham alternatives?
Lean, minimally processed ham, prepared without excessive sodium or additives, can potentially be a part of a healthy overall diet. And parents in WA can in their child’s lunchbox.
When choosing ham, read the labels and select products with a lower sodium content, minimal additives and healthier preparation methods.
When looking for low-salt alternatives to ham, there are several options to consider:
turkey breast. Turkey is a lean meat and can be a good substitute for ham. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties
chicken breast. Skinless, boneless chicken breast is a versatile and low-sodium option. Grilling, baking or roasting can add flavour without relying on salt
smoked salmon. While salmon naturally contains some sodium, smoked salmon tends to be lower in sodium than cured ham. Choose varieties with little or no added salt
roast beef. Choose lean cuts of roast beef and consider seasoning with herbs and spices instead of relying on salt for flavour
homemade roasts. Prepare your own roasts using lean meats such as pork loin, beef sirloin or lamb. This way, you have more control over the ingredients and can minimise added salt
grilled vegetables. These can be a tasty alternative to meat. Eggplant, zucchini, capsicum and portobello mushrooms have a satisfying texture and flavour
beans and legumes. Beans, lentils and chickpeas can be used as alternatives in various dishes. They are naturally low in sodium and high in protein and fibre.
What are some other lunchbox tips?
Packing lunchboxes can be for parents.
Consider planning ahead, involving your kids, reducing pre-packaged foods, balancing cost and convenience, and giving your kids lunchbox accountability.
Many websites provide , including websites focused on .
Remember to keep portions appropriate for kids and to consider any allergies or school regulations when packing lunches.
Making the lunch experience interactive and enjoyable can encourage kids to .
Lauren Ball works for The University of Queensland and receives funding from the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Health and Medical Research Council, Queensland Health and Mater Misericordia. She is a Director of Dietitians Australia, a Director of the Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network and an Associate Member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
