HOMEPORTYOURHEALTH17
Food Matters!
Practise What you Preach
Feeding kids
W
e know that our children should be
eating a balanced diet with plenty of
fruit and veg. There has been much criticism D
o you need some ideas of healthy
alternatives for snacks and lunch boxes?
of the high levels of sugar and salt in the
food that is marketed at children and is For snacks try:
potentially contributing to future health milk, water or pure, unsweetened fruit juice
problems. (the vitamin C found in fruit juices helps
increase iron absorption in the body)
We can tell them to ‘eat their greens’ but do scone, currant bun or piece of fruit loaf
we practise what we preach? A recent study yoghurt or fromage frais
by Cancer Research UK shows that parents’ offer brightly coloured foods with mild
eating habits have a direct influence on what flavours and interesting textures
their children consume. So if you eat on the cherry tomatoes, carrot or celery sticks or
run, dine on take-aways and ready-meals you cucumber pieces, and a piece of fruit are a
can’t expect your kids to be thrilled by a plate few healthy foods to snack on in-between chicken and cucumber sandwiches on
of veg or a salad. meals. brown or wholemeal bread, with a piece of
fruit and a yoghurt, banana slices on brown
The food commission website has lots of tips For lunch boxes try: or wholemeal bread, with cheese biscuits
and suggestions for all the family pitta bread filled with tuna and salad, with a and an apple.
(www.foodcomm.org.uk) or why not join the piece of fruit loaf and piece of fruit
Parents Jury to try to influence what is Note: think about how the lunch box will be
targeted at children and what is on offer to stored at school - it may well sit in a warm
them (www.parentsjury.org). G classroom or corridor for several hours. A
small insulated cool bag, with a couple of
Beans small ice packs, will help the food stay cool
and appetising. You can also freeze a
Means carton of juice-it will keep things cool,
and by lunchtime it should be a refreshing
Students? cool drink.
I
f one of your chicks is about to fly the nest Visit the FSA website for more information on
and go off to university you may want to lunch box ideas and top tips on how to make
point them towards them healthier: www.foodstandards.gov.uk
www.beyondbakedbeans.com which describes Other ideas can be found on the British
itself as ‘real food for students’. The site has Nutrition Foundation website:
recipes, competitions and freebies on offer. G www.nutrition.org.uk G
Your Child and Food
M
any of the health problems we
Size Matters!
experience in later life begin in
childhood, so learning to appreciate good • giving starchy foods to fill him up such as
food and a healthy diet is a vital part of W
hen it comes to the man in your life,
size does matter. Waist size that is! If his wholemeal breads, cereals, pasta and rice
growing up. This practical and informative waist measures more than 94cm (37 inches) • downsize high calorie foods and drinks like
guide tackles the ‘hows’ of getting your child he is at increased risk of developing heart curry and beer, and increase fruit and
to eat healthily, as well as what to eat. disease, diabetes and cancer (British Dietetic vegetables
Association). • take him for a walk, a swim or cycle – it may
The book is highly acclaimed – with The help him to pass
Sunday Times saying, “It’s all good advice Weight problems amongst men are rising – the the naval fitness
from a knowledgeable GP. Take it now..”. latest figures show that 2 out of 3 men are test too!
overweight or obese.
NFF has two copies of the book to give away For more
– see details on page 23. Otherwise, you can You can help by: information
order your own copy on-line from Parentalk • making small changes such as switching to visit the British Dietetic
at www.parentalk.org.uk G lower fat versions of favourite foods – he Association’s website:
may not even notice! www.bda.com G
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