Think About Food
Childhood obesity is on the rise in the UK in spite of many public campaigns to increase awareness of the problem. Modern lifestyles means that fewer and fewer children cycle or walk to school. This lack of physical activity, coupled with a high fat and sugar diet, is the main cause of childhood obesity.
A survey by the Institute of Child Health in 2007 estimated that almost one in four children are overweight or obese by the time they reach the age of three. What we feed our children during childhood influences not only their eating habits but also their health and body weight in later life.
Solidarity Sports is committed to provide the opportunity for children to become familiar with and passionate about the selection and preparation of their food. We aim to promote healthy eating and encourage children to get their five-a-day of fruit and vegetables by offering a nutritious selection of food. We want to encourage them to think about what they are eating and help them build healthy habits for life.
Helpful tips to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables:
• Start early by offering toddlers a variety of colourful fruit and vegetables.
• Encourage children to get involved in the preparation of the food they eat.
• Explain to children the consequences of having an unhealthy diet.
• Smoothies and juices are a great way to get children eating more of the right kinds of healthy foods.
• Join a gardening project because children are more likely to eat food they have helped grow.
• Encourage your child to eat their vegetables at the start of a meal, when they are hungriest.
• Vary the way you prepare vegetables: raw, steam, bake, grill, blend, boil or lightly fry.
• Try dry fruits (without added sugars) for a healthy snack.
• If a child refuses to eat a type of food, explain to them that you will save it for when they are hungry.
• Research shows children need to be introduced to food up to eight times before they try it. Be patient and keep trying.
• Most importantly, set a good example and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables in front of your children.
• If you are looking for some inspiration, why not buy our healthy family cookbook, 'Kids Cook the World’.
