Parents, good nutrition starts with you
SCHOOL administrators are being urged to take responsibility for ensuring that unhealthy foods and drinks are not entering the school system, as Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton says many children are eating and drinking themselves sick.
Government is taking a bold step to establish guidelines around nutrition, which will give youngsters the best chance of developing a healthy lifestyle, and in May of this year Cabinet approved the National School Nutrition Policy, which sets nutritional standards and offers healthier eating options for students from early childhood through to high school.
Dr Tufton argued that eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and fried foods, and increasing water consumption will enhance the holistic development of children, which is the objective of the policy.
What can you do as parents to help, especially your picky tots?
Read the labels
When picking up snacks, make a habit of reading the ingredients on the back of the packages. This is an effective way to control the amount of salt and sugar in your child’s diet. If any ingredients look questionable, then you’re better off leaving the product on the shelf.
Avoid sugary drinks
Water is the best drink for children. Offer this drink to your child instead of store-bought juices and sodas. If you must get juice boxes, opt for those with “no sugar added” instead of “no added sugar”.
Add fruits
Fresh fruits make a great addition to your child’s lunch box — they’re healthy, naturally sweet, and nutritious and, unlike veggies, children love them. Choose fruits for the lunch box that can better weather air exposure and the beating received during transportation.
Get creative
Watch videos and other tutorials for ideas so you can put more than just your love into that lunch box. Try easy and nutritious meals that even the pickiest of picky eaters won’t be able to resist, and that also don’t need a lot of preparation time.