Sydney schools to introduce lunch box SUGAR BAN with parents warned the treats WILL be confiscated

A number of Sydney primary schools have implemented a sugar ban for students – with parents warned treats in lunch boxes will be confiscated.

There are concerns young pupils eating excessive amounts of chocolate, lollies, soft drink, and other unhealthy snacks can trigger rapid mood swings and also result in schoolyard disagreements.

But some nutritionists aren’t on the same page, stating a ban on sugar-laden food could have a detrimental effect as students will end up craving the snacks even more.

Sydney Montessori School in Gymea, in Sydney’s south, have imposed a complete ban on any kind of sugar induced snacks.

‘We ask that parents not send lollies, chocolate, sugary snacks, fizzy drinks or anything of this nature to school as they may cause allergic or behavioural reactions, disagreements between the children, or raised sugar levels resulting in mood swings,’ their school handbook states.

A number of Sydney primary schools have implemented a sugar ban for students – with parents warned treats will be confiscated (pictured, a heathy children’s lunch box)

At some schools – such as the Sydney Montessori School in Gymea, in Sydney’s south, sugar of any kind is banned, meaning cans of coke (pictured) are not an option

There are concerns young pupils eating excessive amounts of chocolate, lollies, soft drink and other unhealthy snacks can trigger rapid mood swings and also result in schoolyard disagreements (pictured, a healthy lunch box with tortilla wraps, fruits and vegetables)

‘If teachers see children with such items, they may be confiscated.’

In Sydney’s west, the Al Noori Muslim School in Greenacre has been sending compliance letters to parents of students ‘caught’ with unhealthy lunch box options. 

At Goulburn South Public in regional NSW, parents have even been requested to avoid sending in cakes on birthdays.

Nutritionist Kristen Beck said the extreme food measures don’t always result in children eating healthier.  

‘If you continually demonise sugary foods, kids just want it more so when they do get access (to them) they get overly excited,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.

‘I can understand why teachers find sugar problematic, but it needs to be judged in the whole context, especially if the kid is a healthy weight and runs around and does lots of exercise.’ 

Childhood obesity numbers increased during the pandemic, with almost 25 per cent of children in Australia currently said to be overweight.

Health experts said the solution is simple – less junk food, more water.

Deakin’s Global Obesity Centre director Steven Allender said the right habits for children start at home.

‘Obesity remains a global problem,’ he said.

‘Leading by example in front of your own children can result in long-lasting changes in lifestyle habits.’