Lead in Your Lunchables? Here’s What to Feed Your Children Instead

A recent study by Consumer Reports found that Lunchables—meat- and cheese-laden lunch kits geared toward children—contain high levels of lead, sodium, and cadmium. These toxic snacks are also deadly for thinking, feeling cows, turkeys, and pigs, who are used by the meat and dairy industries for their flesh and mammary secretions. If you want a snack that’s quick and easy but much better for your kids (or yourself), we’ve found a few tasty options to try instead.

Mighty Yum Munchables

These vegan lunch kits are available in three varieties: Plant-Based Ham & Cheese, Plant-Based Pepperoni Pizza, and Plant-Based Turkey & Cheese. They are made without artificial flavors or colors and don’t harm animals.

Parmela Creamery Snackables

Parmela Creamery’s Lunchables-style Lunch Stackers come with crackers, vegan cheddar cheese squares, and smoky “meat” slices. They debuted at Natural Products Expo West 2024 but haven’t hit stores yet—so be on the lookout!

Do-It-Yourself Lunch Kits

By building your own vegan lunch kit, you’ll know exactly which ingredients are going into your meal. Start with your favorite dairy-free crackers (use classic Ritz Crackers, or switch it up with Original Wheat Thins), then stack on your favorite vegan cheddar cheese and animal-friendly ham- or turkey-style deli slices. If you’re not sure where to start, Violife Just Like American Sandwich Slices or Tofurky Hickory Smoked Plant-Based Deli Slices are two great options. You can even make your own vegan deli slices in order to control their sodium content.

This recipe for 5 Ingredient Vegan Pizza Lunchables from Make It Dairy Free walks you step-by-step through making a pepperoni pizza kit your kids will love.

Going vegan and raising your children vegan are the best actions you can take to help animals. For more information, check out our free vegan starter kit:

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