- MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI have introduced a new meal kit called Lunchly.
- It includes a Feastables bar, a Prime hydration drink, and one of three entree choices.
- They claim it is a “better-for-you” alternative to Lunchables.
- However, despite some improvements, it is still not a healthy choice for kids.
- Experts advise packing a lunch for your child that includes fruits and vegetables instead.
MrBeast (whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson), Logan Paul, and Olajide “KSI” Olatunji have announced that they will collaborate to compete with Kraft Heinz’s Lunchables meal kits with their own “healthier” offering called “Lunchly.”
This isn’t their first foray into the food and drink business, however. MrBeast’s Feastable chocolate bars and Paul and KSI’s Prime energy drinks are already available nationwide.
The online influencers’ “better-for-you” lunch combinations will include one of three choices — Fiesta Nachos, “The Pizza,” or Turkey Stack ‘Ems — served with a Prime hydration drink and a Feastables chocolate bar.
On the Lunchly website, they make a head-to-head comparison between Lunchly and Lunchables, showing that Lunchly is indeed lower in calories and sugar while also providing an electrolyte boost that is not present in Lunchable’s Capri Sun drink.
But is Lunchly really as healthy as it is promoted to be? We asked nutrition experts to weigh in.
Lunchly ingredients: What’s in (and not in) each meal kit
Leah Oladitan, RDN, LD, who runs The Child Nutritionist blog, said the Prime hydration drink included in the meal kits contains coconut water, added electrolytes, artificial sweeteners, and vitamins.
However, it’s not caffeinated, which sets it apart from Prime energy drinks, which contain 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can.
“The entrée options — turkey and cheese, pepperoni pizza, or nachos — are all highly processed,” she added.
Oladitan said that one of the major issues with Lunchly, however, is its sodium content.
“Like most processed foods, Lunchly meals provide over 20% of the recommended daily salt intake in just one serving,” she noted.
Excess sodium is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, according to Oladitan.
“Studies show that kids between 2-19 years old are consuming nearly double the recommended sodium intake daily, which puts them at risk of long-term health issues,” she said.
Oladitan further stated that Lunchly meals are high in saturated fat, which can raise “bad” cholesterol levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Moreover, Lunchly lacks two critical food groups — fruits and vegetables,” she said. “Without these, kids miss out on vital nutrients, fiber, and phytonutrients that are essential for overall health.”
Oladitan summarized her thoughts on Lunchly as follows: “While convenient, it falls short of being a healthy option.”
How Lunchly compares with Lunchables
So, what about their claim that Lunchly is at least a better option than Lunchables?
Commenting on these two products, Dimitar Marinov, MD, a medical doctor specializing in Nutrition and Dietetics who also holds a Ph.D. in Preventative Medicine and Nutrition, said, “Though it is being marketed as a better and ‘healthier’ alternative to Lunchables, the reality check would hit harder.”
The items included in Lunchly “are not a source of nutritional powerhouses,” he said, “but instead are the form of processed food.”
Marinov said it’s important to check the nutrition label on any packaged foods you buy, including pre-packaged lunch kits like Lunchly and Lunchables.
Further comparing the two, he said they are nearly tied with each other on healthiness.
“On the one hand, where Lunchly has started to offer slight improvements like providing whole grain crackers and leaner meats, it still includes processed foods and added sugars,” said Marinov.
“All in all, the major issue is the marketing strategy of Lunchly,” he added. “Paul and MrBeast are probably giving parents the wrong idea by labeling Lunchly as a ‘healthier’ option.”
Both Lunchly and Lunchables should be consumed in moderation, Marinov added, since they are both processed foods.
“If, as parents, you truly want to give your child a healthy diet,” he concluded, “you must consider packing fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods instead.”
Marinov suggests getting your children involved in the process to make it a fun activity.
“Above all, it will dramatically encourage healthier eating habits,” he said.
Takeaway
Online influencers MrBeast, Logan Paul, and Olajide “KSI” Olatunji are collaborating to offer a lunch kit called “Lunchly,” which they claim is “healthier” than Lunchables.
However, nutrition experts say that the ingredients are still less than healthy. Despite the small improvements that have been made, they are processed foods that are high in sodium and saturated fat.
They are also missing out on vital fruits and vegetables that kids need to remain healthy.
It is a better option to pack a healthy lunch for your child that contains fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
