Go Heavy On The Fruit And Veg, Parents Urged

8 October 2007

Parents are being encouraged to go heavy on the fruit and veg and light on the packaged snacks, in phase two of the Feeding our Futures campaign.

New television and radio commercials have started this week encouraging parents to fuel their kids up with fruit and vegetables and to offer healthy snacks in place of the high sugar, high salt packaged options.

"Everybody knows making sure your kids are eating healthy food can be easier said than done," says Michelle Mako, from Feeding our Futures.

"So we're giving tips on practical and easy ways to gently nudge your children towards a healthy diet – they won't even know you're doing it!

"Overweight and obesity are a real problem in New Zealand. One in three children are overweight or obese and obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and some cancers.

"Improving your kids' diet now will pay off a thousand fold in the future, as they grow into healthier adults."

The three new messages are:

- Kids do better when they eat fruit and vegetables

- For healthier meals load up their plate with vegetables. Make at least half the meal vegetables

- Snacks don't need to come in packets. Offer them fruit, a sandwich or even popcorn.

Feeding our Futures is the social marketing campaign aimed at encouraging parents and caregivers to adopt new strategies to improve their kids’ diets. Campaign messages appear on TV, radio, and in print advertising.

Further information about the campaign, and recipes for simple every day meals can be found on the website at www.feedingourfutures.org.nz.

10 Healthy Eating Tips

- Eat together as a family as often as you can

- Drink water and milk instead of sugary drinks

- Provide a jug of water on the table for the whole family to share during mealtimes

- Involve your kids in choosing a meal and then get them to help you prepare it, such as peeling, chopping, cooking or serving

- Keep a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit on hand for quick healthy snacks

- Try and make fruit and vegetables a part of every meal

- Make sure portion sizes are appropriate. The size of a person's hands is a good guide to what is the right serving size for them. For example, for a child's meal use their hand as a guide

-To encourage kids to eat more fruit and vegetables, try cutting and presenting them in different, easy-to-eat shapes. Also try different cooking methods

- Kids learn a lot from how their parents eat. Lead by example - make sure you eat and enjoy different vegetables as a regular part of your diet

- Try making meal times enjoyable and a happy whanau time.

ENDS

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