Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s suggestion of a Marmite sandwich and an apple for lunch wouldn’t keep a child full or feed their brain sufficiently, according to local health and education experts.

“If you’re just doing a Marmite sandwich and an apple, you’re probably not meeting the protein requirements [which depend on age and gender],” paediatric dietician Jenny Douglas explained to RNZ.

“Ideally it would be a Marmite and cheese sandwich at least,” she said, noting that the high salt content of Marmite, which could shape one’s palate, giving a child a taste for salty snacks like pies and chips early on.

  • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
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    5 days ago

    Marmite is a yeast spread. It’s a classic spread made from by-products of beer brewing.

    It’s (very) savoury. A nice alternative to all the sweet spreads. It also has a strong flavour so while NZ kids grow up on it, if you haven’t then spread it very thinly (I’d suggest butter the bread first).

    • deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz
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      5 days ago

      Australians will also be familiar with Vegemite. Same thing (yeah yeah).

      It’s simultaneously revolting and delicious. Definitely an acquired taste.

      • liv@lemmy.nz
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        3 days ago

        What scares me slightly is the older I get, the thicker I spread the marmite.

      • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
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        5 days ago

        British Marmite and NZ Marmite are quite different from each other, so Vegemite is clearly still in the grouping (and you could say is similar to British Marmite).

        • TagMeInSkipIGotThis@lemmy.nz
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          4 days ago

          Maybe taste wise, but texture wise Vegemite is closer to NZ Marmite. UK Marmite is very syrupy.

          Apparently for those with distinguished palates Promite is the best of the bunch. I wouldn’t know i’m not that big of a fan of it.

          • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
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            4 days ago

            Hmm the UK Marmite I’ve had wasn’t very syrupy. Well, I haven’t had it except once a long time ago so maybe it was and I don’t remember. Or maybe there are different brands.