by Chidi Ohia, Contributing Author
How often have you had to settle with a hot pocket or frozen meal for lunch because you did not have the time to cook one? With the high-paced culture of work life, it is often difficult to make time for activities such as cooking. This time-constraint can be even more palpable when there are children involved as you have to ensure they are getting adequate nutrients. Over the years, a few companies have provided alternatives for this issue. Some of these options include microwave dinners, on-the-go breakfast, and ready-to-eat lunches.
One such ready-to-eat lunch brand is Lunchly founded by Youtubers KSI, Logan Paul, and Mr. Beast. Lunchly is a ready-to-eat kids’ lunch that features a make-it-yourself meal of cheese and crackers or pizza, a snack bar, and an energy drink. Recently, Lunchly has been under media scrutiny due to claims the founders have made about its health benefits. Specifically, the founders of Lunchly have juxtaposed it against another popular ready-to-eat brand called “Lunchables”. Although Lunchables and Lunchly have very similar food content, the founders of Lunchly claim that it is a healthier alternative. This claim has stirred up discussion across the internet as fans and parents claim that Lunchly is just another influencer money grab with no significant health benefits to children.
A significant cause of the public criticism is the way Lunchly has marketed its nutritional facts. For instance, on their website Sodium is marketed as simply electrolytes rather than breaking down the amount of different types of electrolytes (potassium, sodium etc) in each snack. The difference in electrolytes between Lunchly and Lunchables are mainly due to the energy drink in Lunchly. It has more calcium and potassium than Lunchables’s caprisun; it also has less sugar, but that is because Lunchly uses artificial sweeteners in their drink. One positive aspect of Lunchly is that they do use real cheese and uncured pepperoni. When comparing Lunchly’s nutrition facts with those of Lunchables, it is apparent that the overall nutritional differences between both brands are not much.
Lunchly is marketing their product as significantly better than other ready-to-eat kits, but that is not entirely accurate. Although their energy drink is packed with potassium and calcium, it is not necessary for hydration, especially when it is marketed toward children who on average are not high-intensity athletes. The rest of the snacks in their kits are very similar to those in Lunchables. Lunchly’s claim to be a better alternative is due to a heavy reliance on the electrolytes in their energy drink and the strategic wording of the nutritional facts. When the gimmicks are removed, it is another hyper processed food comparable to Lunchables.
Tips for Parents
For a child who loves ready-to-go meal kits
Talk to your child about what they love about the meal kits
Give them some insights on the nutritional facts of the meal kits
Look up how to make meals similar to the ones offered in the ready-to-go kits
Offer to pack your child’s lunch in a similar way or suggest to do it together
For affordable and/or time-saving options
Find an affordable grocery store near you
Look up how to make meals similar to the ones offered in the ready-to-go kits
Offer to pack your child’s lunch in a similar way or suggest to do it together
Meal prep your child’s ready-to-go kit and have it ready for them to grab and go in the morning
Comments