Founder Spotlight: Mandy Sacher—The Nutritionist Fighting Back Against Junk Food for Kids

If you’ve ever grabbed a “healthy” kids’ snack off the supermarket shelf, only to flip it over and discover it’s packed with sugar, additives, or ingredients you can’t even pronounce—you’re not alone.

And that’s exactly why Mandy Sacher is on a mission to change the way we feed our kids.

As a leading paediatric nutritionist, best-selling author, and the founder of Mandy Sacher Consulting, she’s spent over 20 years working with families, childcare centres, and food brands to cut through the marketing spin and help parents make smarter choices.

Because the reality?

More than 50% of Australian children’s daily calories come from ultra-processed foods—and that’s fuelling obesity, behavioural challenges, and long-term health risks.

“We’ve normalised feeding our kids junk,” Mandy explains. “These aren’t just ‘sometimes foods’ anymore—ultra-processed foods have become everyday staples. And the problem isn’t just with parents—it’s with the food industry making it impossible to tell what’s really healthy.”

That’s why she’s taking on the big brands—helping them reformulate their products to meet actual nutritional standards and developing a real food rating system to replace the flawed Health Star Rating. Ever picked up the 4-star rating thinking you were making a great choice, only to turn it over and see the ingredient list contains a tonne of words you cannot even pronounce? Totally not good for your body.

For Mandy, this isn’t just a job—it’s a fight for the future of children’s health.

Where It All Began

Mandy’s journey started with a passion for helping parents navigate the overwhelming world of kids’ food.

After years working with families, she wrote the bestselling book, Wholesome Child: A Complete Nutrition Guide and Cookbook, and became Australia’s first Chief Nutrition Officer in the childcare sector.

But she realised that no matter how much she educated parents, the real problem was at the top—with food manufacturers pushing ultra-processed, addictive, and misleadingly marketed products onto families.

So she founded Mandy Sacher Consulting, where she works with major food brands to develop genuinely healthy, additive-free products that parents can trust.

The Junk Food Epidemic: What Parents Need to Know

Mandy is deeply concerned about how ultra-processed foods are affecting kids’ health.

“Ultra-processed foods aren’t just high in sugar and additives—they disrupt kids’ metabolism, gut health, and even brain function,” she says.

Some alarming facts:

• 96% of Aussie kids don’t eat the recommended amount of vegetables.
• Sugary kids’ snacks often have more sugar than a chocolate bar, despite being labelled “healthy.”
• Artificial additives and preservatives in processed foods can contribute to hyperactivity, poor concentration, and even behavioural disorders.
• Research shows that kids exposed to high sugar diets are more likely to develop obesity, diabetes, and mental health struggles later in life.

Yet, parents are constantly misled by claims like “no added sugar,” “made with real fruit,” or “organic,” which don’t necessarily mean healthy.

“The food industry is designed to confuse parents, and I want to put the power back in their hands.”

Mandy’s Quick-Fix Staples for Healthy Kids

Busy parents need simple, nutritious options that don’t involve hours in the kitchen. Here are Mandy’s go-to nutrient-dense snacks that keep kids full and energised:

• Fresh fruit & veggies – Apples, bananas, cucumber slices, and carrot sticks. Easy, no-prep, and packed with fibre and vitamins.

• Wholegrain crackers + dips – Hummus or guacamole with wholegrain crackers stabilises blood sugar and boosts brain function.

• Natural probiotic yoghurt – Unsweetened Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit supports gut health and immunity.

“By focusing on real food, parents can cut through the marketing noise and feel confident about what they’re feeding their kids.”

How to Spot Fake “Healthy” Snacks

One of the biggest myths in kids’ food is that anything with a Health Star Rating is automatically good for them.

It’s not.

Many highly processed snacks still receive 4-5 stars, while truly healthy options like organic nuts or full-fat Greek yoghurt rank lower.

Mandy teaches parents to read labels like a pro.

• Check the ingredient list – The first few ingredients should be recognisable whole foods, not syrups, starches, or mystery additives. • Watch out for sneaky sugars – Avoid anything with fructose, maltodextrin, or rice syrup. • Say no to artificial additives – Numbers like 282 (preservatives), 621 (MSG), and food dyes (102, 110, 123, 124) can cause hyperactivity and behavioural issues in kids.

“Once parents learn how to decode labels, they feel empowered to make the best choices for their families.”

Tackling Fussy Eating—Without the Mealtime Battles

Mandy knows that picky eaters can make mealtimes a nightmare.

But her three golden rules help parents ditch the stress and encourage healthier eating habits:

• Expose, expose, expose – It takes 10-15 times for a child to accept a new food—so keep offering it without pressure. • Make meals social – Kids are 80% more likely to try a food if they see parents enjoying it too. • Get them involved – When kids help pick, prep, and cook, they become more curious and willing to try new foods.

“There are no quick fixes, but with consistency and positivity, kids can learn to love real food.”

The Next Big Shift in Kids’ Nutrition

Mandy predicts big changes ahead in how parents approach food:

• Personalised nutrition – More tailored diets based on gut health and genetics.
• Less ultra-processed food – Parents are demanding better transparency from brands.
• Better gut health focus – Expect a rise in probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods.
• Stricter food labelling – The push for clear, honest packaging is growing.

“Parents are waking up to how damaging processed foods can be, and they’re demanding better options. The industry will have to step up.”

One Simple Change to Improve Your Child’s Diet Today

Mandy’s #1 tip for parents: Cut back on ultra-processed snacks and replace them with real food.

“The easiest way to improve your child’s diet is to ditch the packaged junk and go for whole, simple ingredients instead.”

And don’t forget vegetables—they’re nature’s insurance policy against disease.

Final Thoughts

Mandy Sacher is leading the charge in fighting back against the processed food industry, helping parents take control of their kids’ nutrition.

She’s not here to guilt-trip families—she’s here to arm them with the facts so they can push back against misleading food marketing and raise healthier, happier kids.

Because at the end of the day? Every small change makes a difference.

For more from Mandy, check out her website and follow her on instagram for smart swaps, easy recipes, and no-nonsense food advice.