The Better Nursery Food Now Campaign, which calls on the Government to implement nutritional standards for nursery school food, has now launched a Facebook campaign to spread the word and engage mums and dads in supporting. The campaign is being run and promoted by The Soil Association and Organix, the baby and toddler food company.
The Better Nursery Food Campaign aims to increase the pressure on Government by highlighting examples of nurseries where parents are dissatisfied with the nutritional standards of nursery food. Whether it’s a nursery serving junk food, or food with artificial additives and e-numbers, or poor food generally, we are asking parents and nursery workers to post their experiences on the Facebook page and sign the petition to take to government.
The experiences from mums and dads will enable the Better Nursery Food Now campaigns team to step up the pressure on Government to put in place nutritional standards that will cover all nurseries, guaranteeing better food in nurseries.
Just to remind you that, according to the report Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie – exposing the truth about nursery food:
- There are no clear nutritional standards for UK nurseries.
- Some nurseries spend as little as 25p per meal, per child.
- Colourings and additives, not allowed in manufactured foods for children, were regularly being permitted in nurseries.
- Foods banned or restricted in primary and secondary schools – like chips, sweets and chocolate – are still regularly served in nurseries.
- No Government Department was willing to take responsibility for the quality and monitoring of nursery food.
BBC 1 Panorama programme on Monday 25 January at 8.30pm will be investigating “What Is Really In Our Kid’s Food”. The programme has discovered that one in five children starts school already overweight and, according to the latest research, children who are fat by five are likely to stay that way. Shelley Jofre investigates the food being dished up to pre-schoolers at nurseries and at home. There’s a rapidly growing market in ready meals specifically for toddlers, but are they really a healthy option? The programme looks behind the marketing claims
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January 20, 2010
Apples: Apples have long been thought to be a healthy food, indeed many of us grew up hearing that they kept the doctor away! It is now known that apples contain the phytonutrient quercitin, which prevents the oxidation (damage) of LDL cholesterol thus lowering the risk of damage to our arteries and in turn, the risk of heart disease. They also contain pectin, a soluble fibre that seems to be very effective in lowering levels of blood cholesterol. Pectin also binds to heavy metals in our body, such as lead, and removes them from the gut. Ideal baby first food when cooked and pureed.
Avocados: Pound for pound avocados provide more heart healthy monounsaturated fat, fibre, vitamin E, folic acid and potassium than any other fruits. As if this was not enough, they are also the number one fruit source of beta-sitosterol, a substance that can reduce total cholesterol. They also supersede other fruits in the antioxidant lutein, which, in studies has shown to protect people from cataracts. Lutein has also been linked with protecting your cardiovascular system and preventing prostate cancer. Avocados are very easily digested, which makes them ideal for people that have problems digesting fatty foods.
Bananas: Bananas are slightly higher in energy than other fruits but the calories come mainly from carbohydrate; excellent for refuelling before, during or after exercise. Great first baby food, too; just mashed them well and add some of the baby milk to get the right consistence.
Bananas contain phytochemicals known as antioxidants. These antioxidants protect cells in the body against damage from free radicals that can cause heart disease and cancer.
Bananas are also jam-packed with potassium that helps lower blood pressure, and vitamin B6 for healthy skin and hair.
Blueberries, Cranberries and Blackcurrants: They not only look and taste great but blueberries contain antioxidants known as anthocyanidins, some of the strongest antidotes to oxidative stress, which many scientists believe to be the cause of aging in humans. They are great immune-stimulants. Also they are not real berries, so you can introduce them in your baby’s diet as soon as 8-9 months.
Broccoli: If the other foods here are “super” foods then broccoli should be a “mega-super” food. Researchers are finding a wealth of healthy compounds in this vegetable, which include two power anti-cancer substances, sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Sulforaphane destroys any carcinogenic compounds that you have ingested and then it creates enzymes that eat up any carcinogens left over from that reaction. Broccoli is also a good source of beta-carotene and potassium, which helps lower your risk of heart disease. Many therapists suggest eating broccoli at least three times a week and now we know why.
Garlic: Numerous clinical trials have shown garlic to be an excellent cancer fighter – studies suggest that it has the ability to prevent development of cancers of the breast, colon, skin, prostate, stomach and oesophagus. Garlic also helps stimulate the immune system by encouraging the growth of natural killer cells, which directly attack cancer cells. It also has the ability to kill the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a major cause of ulcers and stomach cancer. Introduce garlic to baby’s diet slowly and wait until he/she is at least 12 months old.
Pumpkin: Pumpkins and squash are packed full of beta carotene (only carrots and sweet potatoes have more) and are the number one source of alpha carotene, a cancer inhibitor potentially more powerful than beta-carotene. They also provide vitamins B5, C, E, potassium, calcium and fibre. And don’t throw out the seeds, as they are an excellent source of zinc, essential fatty acids, and are a great source of plant protein. Cooked and mashed pumpkins are great first food for babies! And they love them because of their natural sweet taste.
Salmon: One of the best oily fish providing an excellent source of Omega 3. Omega 3 fatty acids have been linked with protecting against breast and other cancers and relieving autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Omega 3 is also essential for a brain as well as heart health, and has been linked with accelerated learning and attention span in children and helping mental functions in the elderly. Other oily fish include herring, tuna and mackerel.
Whole Grains: Several epidemiological studies show that people who consume large amounts of whole grains every day have a lower risk of heart disease. Whole grains include brown rice, millet, oats and wholegrain bread. Population research also suggests that whole grains help prevent colon, breast and prostate cancer. The complex carbohydrates and fibre slow the release of blood sugar providing a great slow energy source. Fibre can also help to prevent constipation, encourages the growth of “friendly “bacteria in the gut, and aids the removal of toxins from the body.
Yogurt: Yogurt is an easily absorbed source of calcium. It’s also a useful milk substitute for people who can’t digest large amounts of the milk sugar, lactose.
Yogurt has long been credited with a range of therapeutic benefits, many of which involve the health of the large intestine and the relief of gastrointestinal upsets.
The bacteria Lactobacillus GG, added to some yoghurt, are not digested, and reach the large intestine intact where they top up the other friendly bacteria living there.
Read more about how to fight Swine Flu naturally and what to include in Natural First Aid Kit.
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September 25, 2009
Foods such as crisps, chips and biscuits are being given to children in small percentage of the UK nurseries, revealed recent research from governing body Ofsted. Junk or processed foods, banned or restricted in schools, still appear on nursery some menus. A parallel survey indicated that some nurseries in England and Wales are serving processed foods, sugary drinks and foods high in additives, salt and fat.
According to England’s Department for Children, Schools and Families, it is a legal requirement in all childcare settings, including childminders, nurseries and day care, that where children are provided with meals, snacks or drinks, these must be healthy, balanced and nutritious.
But what happens in practice? – A small per cent of UK nurseries were found to be spending as little as 25p a day. Oil-rich fish such as salmon, or sardines were only served in 8% of them.
Parents expect the food their children eat at nursery to meet regulatory and nutritional guidelines, and not to include additives unsuitable for young children. But one fifth of the parents, taking part in a recent survey, described the food at their nursery as poor or mediocre.
Organic foods are more nutritious, and they contain higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron as well as antioxidants important for skin, cancer-fight and overall health. Cooking with organic ingredients is the only way to reduce the chemicals your baby or toddler is exposed to. Go to Why Go Organic section for further information: http://www.greenkiddie.co.uk/Goorganic.php, and get some homemade healthy recipe ideas here: http://www.greenkiddie.co.uk/Recipes.php
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June 30, 2009
