Blog from Cheshire Franchise
We’ve all heard about the importance of having a balanced diet, but how many of us put this into practice and who teaches their children to do the same?
There are countless kids in the UK who are being given a poor diet, so many in fact that one in seven under the age of 15 are now considered to be obese.
It’s not just about eating too much either but consuming too many poor-quality foods, such as sugar, as 29.3 per cent of five-year-olds in England suffer from tooth decay. That means almost a third of children have rotten teeth even before their adult teeth have come through.
That is why it is essential everyone adopts a healthier approach to eating and teaches their children to do the same.
What is Healthy Eating Week?
Healthy Eating Week has been organised by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) for the last few years to raise awareness of healthy eating habits and lifestyles. Not only does it promote nutrient-dense foods, but reminds people about the importance of hydration and physical activity too.
During the week, anyone involved, from schools to workplaces, highlights the need to drink water regularly, find ways to be more active, plan dishes to avoid convenience meals, reduce food waste, have healthy snacks and eating a balanced diet.
So what is a balanced diet?
Children who attend our school workshops during Healthy Eating Week will learn what the five food groups are - protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, dairy, and oils and spreads - and how a healthy diet incorporates ingredients that fall into each category.
This opens their eyes about what a healthy meal is and encourages them to think about what foods can be added to their breakfast, lunch or dinner to make it more nutritious.
For instance, they can start thinking about different fillings to put in their packed lunch that ticks all the boxes, such as a tuna sandwich, carrot sticks and yoghurt, instead of just salty or sugary snacks.
Why is a healthy diet important?
Children get bored and frustrated being told what they should do, especially when it comes to food and drink, so it is important for them to understand why they need to have a healthy diet.
This is because there are so many negative side-effects of having a poor diet, including:
● Tooth decay due to excess sugar intake
● Poor school performance, as a result of low energy and lethargy
● Weakened immunity from nutrient deficiencies, making them more susceptible to illnesses
● Bad skin, as sugary, greasy and salty foods produces spots
● Poor sleep, thanks to a lack of nutrients and sugar spikes
● Low confidence, bad moods and feelings of stress and agitation
● Higher risk of obesity-related illnesses, including heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes
On the other side of the coin, there are lots of benefits to eating more healthily, which makes children realise they can feel much happier, fitter and stronger with a few more fruit, veg, protein and dairy products in their diet.
The benefits of a balanced diet are:
● Lots of energy from all the nutrients
● Better quality sleep
● Brain development, which helps kids do better at school
● Strong bones and joints, reducing injuries and helping with growth
● Better immune system, which means fewer bugs and no more missed school days!
● Lower chances of heart disease, cancer, stroke and adult obesity
● Happy hormones in food, giving children a mental health boost, calming them down and giving them confidence
How can they tell what’s healthy?
As well as learning what ingredients fit into which food group, it is also important for children to understand how to determine how much they should eat of a particular thing.
They can do this with the traffic light food labelling system, which gives them a visual indication of whether they should eat it often (green), occasionally (amber) or rarely (red).
This immediately lets them know whether something they pick up at the supermarket is full of nutrients or whether they should cut down on eating it, as they should only be consumed in small amounts.
By encouraging them to choose foods that are green, and, therefore, nutrient-rich, they will begin to realise what are healthier choices than others.
Getting kids involved in the kitchen
One way to encourage children to eat a better-quality diet is to get them involved in the kitchen. Signing up to a children’s cooking class or workshop will make them better understand whether their meals include ingredients from the five food groups.
At the same time, kids are more likely to try something they have made themselves, expanding their palate and encouraging them to eat a greater variety of food.
For more information on what Kiddy Cook North West is doing for Healthy Eating Week, from school cooking workshops to afterschool clubs, get in touch at natasha@kiddycook.co.uk.