ReAL FOOD BLOG
Explore the latest product breakdowns, food label red flags, and clean eating tips — straight from Mandy Sacher and the Real Food Rating team.
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7- Step Guide to Packing the Perfect Lunchbox for Back-to-School!
Packing the perfect lunchbox for your child can feel like a daunting task, especially for busy parents striving to provide nutritious and appealing meals. However, with a bit of planning and creativity, you can assemble lunches that are both healthy and enticing for your little ones. Here’s a comprehensive 7-Step Guide to help you navigate…
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The Best Lunchboxes for Back to School: Encouraging Variety, Wholefoods & Naked Lunches
Back to school means back to packing nutritious, balanced, and stress-free lunches! One of the best ways to set your child up for a healthy school year is by choosing the right lunchbox – one that encourages variety, wholefoods, and waste-free eating. A bento-style lunchbox is my go-to recommendation for school lunches. Not only does…
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The Top 3 Strategies to Overcome Fussy Eating: Desensitization, Repetition, and Family Meals
Fussy eating can turn mealtimes into a source of stress and frustration for parents. But here’s the good news: with the right strategies, you can help your child develop a positive and lasting relationship with food. In this blog, I’m sharing a sneak peek into the tools I teach in my fussy eating workshops, which…
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Real Food Ratings: Ditch Artificial Food Dyes and Make Smarter Swaps
Artificial food dyes have no place in our pantry staples, especially in foods marketed to children. These synthetic additives, used to make processed foods look more appealing, come with a hidden cost to our health. Studies have repeatedly shown that artificial colours are linked to behavioural issues, hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and disruptions to gut health…
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The Truth About Spinach Wraps: Don’t Fall for the Greenwashed Hype!
Wraps are a staple for quick, easy meals — from lunchbox snacks to family dinners. But lately, spinach wraps have been marketed as the “healthy” way to boost your family’s nutrition with a touch of greens. While these vibrant green wraps may seem like a wholesome choice, many store-bought varieties are loaded with additives, preservatives,…
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Orange Juice Exposed: Rating The Best and Worst Supermarket Orange Juices!
As parents, we’re often told that fruit juice is a healthy choice for children because it’s made from fruit. While it might seem like an easy way to boost their fruit intake, the reality is that fruit juice—especially when consumed regularly—is not always the best choice. Orange juice is often marketed as a healthy, wholesome…
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Kids and Protein Powders: What Every Parent Needs to Know
As a paediatric nutritionist, I’m often asked whether protein powders are a good idea for kids. With so many options on the market and clever marketing claiming to support growth, development, and active lifestyles, it’s easy for parents to feel overwhelmed. However, not all protein powders are created equal, and some may do more harm…
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Healthy Snack or Sugar Overload: Navigating Dried Fruit for Kids
As a wholefood nutritionist, one of the most common questions I get from parents is about dried fruit. Dried fruit can seem like a quick, healthy snack option—it’s sweet, convenient, and often comes in kid-friendly packaging. But like many foods, the story is a little more complex. Let’s explore the benefits, concerns, practical tips and…
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5 Tips to Avoid Deceptive Marketing Tactics Making Your Kids Crave Junk Food
Today’s food marketing is everywhere, targeting even our youngest kids with bright packaging, social media influencers, games, and their favourite cartoon characters. For Aussie parents dedicated to raising healthy eaters, it’s overwhelming to sift through “kid-friendly” foods that are often ultra-processed and packed with sugar, salt, and artificial additives. These marketing tactics actively work against…