Quarter of U.S. parents mining their child's lunchbox for dinner: Survey

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Turn off the stove.

Junior’s bringing home dinner.

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A June poll of 2,000 Americans with school-aged children found that more than a quarter (29%) of parents were polishing off their kid’s school lunch for supper, according to the New York Post.

The in-depth survey commissioned by NatureSweet and conducted by Talker Research also found that about one in five parents believe their kids are being offered better meals than they had in school (17%) and that their child’s lunch usually comes home uneaten (21%).

As for those lunchbox leftovers, about one in four parents was peddling them as afterschool snacks (25%) or putting them back in the pantry (22%), although 41% of parents admitted to tossing them in the trash.

The survey also looked at how the quality of school eats has evolved over the years, although sandwiches (61%), chips (56%) and juice (52%) remain the lunchtime standard, the Post reported.

On the flip side, kids’ least favourite foods were snap peas (40%), green beans (36%), tuna salad (36%) and hard-boiled eggs (32%), according to their parents.

Almost half of parents (43%) said their child’s lunch is healthier than what they got in school and about a quarter (28%) said kids enjoy more variety these days. They also said kids enjoy quick foods (50%), fresh foods (38%), foods that kids can pack themselves (31%) and are not very messy (30%).

Parents, however, prioritize nutrients (54%), taste (45%) and cost (33%) when shopping for lunchtime staples. A majority also feel guilty for feeding their kids easy, unhealthy foods over whole foods (60%) with most blaming their busy schedules (20%) and their child’s picky eating habits (21%).

“As many parents know, it can be challenging to get your kids to eat what’s in their lunchbox, especially whole foods,” NatureSweet chief scientific officer Dr. Martin Ruebelt said, according to the Post. “With this study, we wanted to shine a light on how parents go the extra mile to give their kids healthy, nutritious foods and the ways they get creative to keep their kids well fed.”

That includes a vast majority (79%) going to “dramatic lengths” to withhold unhealthy foods from their children with responses including avoiding them at stores (30%), hiding them (18%) and telling white lies (13%), the Post reported.

The survey said parents are also trying to educate their kids about health and wellness by actively teaching them about proper foods and diet (42%), modelling their behaviour (34%) and prioritizing healthy habits into their schedules (31%).

“Incorporating whole foods and produce into your family’s diet and busy lifestyles isn’t as time-consuming as it once was,” Ruebelt said, via the Post. “There are so many grab-and-go healthy snacking options on the market that incorporate whole foods such as produce that are delicious, convenient and, more importantly, kid approved.”