PACK IT IN
Mum gets shamed for her kid’s meal with some asking if she’s ‘going to school or building it’ with the amount crammed in
Plus, five tips for a healthier lunchbox
A MUM has found herself brutally lunch-shamed after proudly showing off the elaborate meals she prepares for her kid, nine.
Alexia Gallegos, from the USA, is a mum-of-three, but it's the eldest daughter's school lunches that have taken the internet by storm.
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The foodie, who is a proud stay-at-home mum, insists that ''school lunches don't have to be cold and boring'' and regularly shares her lunch-packing routine.
One such video posted on saw the mother whip up a jacket potato, topped with scrumptious steak bites, some shrimp, broccoli, grated cheese and a sprinkle of herbs to top it off.
''Baked potato for the win,'' Alexia wrote in the caption of , all chuffed with her cooking skills.
Once she had packed the main dish into a pink lunchbox, Alexia - who's won more than 132k followers - went on to cram in an array of snacks for her nine-year-old daughter.
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These included the following: a container of delicious pistachio nuts, Haribo Goldbear candy, a packet of chocolate-covered dried strawberries, a packed of roasted seaweed with some sea salt sprinkled on too, as well as a packet of ''Veggie'' straws.
Alexia didn't stop there, as she then also added more snacks for the kid, including two Ferrero Rocher chocolates, a Kinder Joy chocolate, a tub of jellied fruit and beef jerky.
That little girl is still sitting in the cafeteria eating her lunch
internet troll
The elaborate lunch box for the day was completed with a gummy Pizza candy box and strawberry and cream Tic Tacs.
Once she had packed all the food, Alexia included the viral Stanley flask filled with ice cubes in the shape of adorable butterflies, water, as well as a cute handwritten note that read: ''Hey beautiful, you are worth it ALWAYS! Keep being you! Love Mommy.''
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But despite the mum's best intentions, thousands of fellow Instagram users have expressed utter shock, mainly criticising the portion sizes and the nutritional value of the sugary snacks.
One person said: ''Sorry I feel bad saying it because you look so happy and made all with love... but this is so much food... also so much sugar for one day...''
I get so many comments about being a single mum-of-four - but I don't even make them lunch, it's peace and quiet for me
Another agreed, adding: ''All the plastic waste... and wouldn't one kind of sweets be enough? No apple, no banana....''
Someone else chuckled: ''Is she going to school or building it?!''
A fourth penned: ''That little girl is still sitting in the cafeteria eating her lunch.''
''Not sure if we are trying to k**l her with diabetes, or room temperature shrimp,'' a critic wrote.
Healthier lunchbox recipes
- Cheesy coleslaw with wholemeal pitta
- Creamy hummus dip with pitta bread and vegetable sticks
- Egg mayonnaise and lettuce bap
- Hummus and salad wrap
- Salmon and salad bagel
- Soft cheese and salad sandwich
- Tuna mayonnaise and sweetcorn sandwich
- Spicy chicken and salad wrap.
Find all the recipes , on the NHS website.
Lunchbox tips for a healthy meal
Keep them fuller for longer
As , parents should base the main lunchbox item on foods like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes - this will keep the tummies fuller for longer.
Choose wholegrain where you can.
Cut back on fat
Where possible, go for lower-fat fillings, such as lean meats (including chicken or turkey), fish (such as tuna or salmon), lower-fat spread, reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat hard cheese.
Another great way to cut back on fat is avoiding using mayonnaise in sandwiches.
Ever green
If possible, always add salad to sandwiches and wraps too – it all counts towards your child's five-a-day!
Always add veggies
Cherry tomatoes, sticks of carrot, cucumber, celery and peppers - these are all great options that count towards their five-a-day.
Adding a small pot of reduced-fat hummus or other dips may help with getting kids to eat vegetables.
Cut down on crisps
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If your child really likes their crisps see if you can reduce the number of times you include them in the lunchbox.
Another great option is swapping crisps for homemade plain popcorn or plain rice cakes instead.
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