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England
Editorial Note
Currently, there is considerable concern in UK about children’s unhealthy eating habits which are resulting in obesity and other health problems. Efforts are being made to ban advertising for ‘junk foods’, lessen sugar and salt intake and promote the eating of fruit and vegetables in school and the home.
Healthy eating sessions
The Pendle Family Support Project in Blackburn Diocese works with families who are struggling to cope, and the Parent Support Group grew through a few mums who wanted to meet and receive teaching on issues which would help them and their families. All agreed that they had problems getting their children to eat ‘healthy’ foods and there was also much discussion about what ‘healthy’ food actually was.
One session concentrated on healthy lunch boxes for children. Dried fruit, different sorts of bread and low-fat snacks were all brought in for parents to try. Other combinations of food were also suggested. When they realised the cost of these was not particularly higher than the products they were already buying, they were surprised but realised that their children would benefit from this.
Other sessions were more hands-on, giving the parents a chance to make and taste various dishes, using vegetable protein instead of meat and using healthier ingredients for dishes such as pizza, which most parents agreed was part of the staple diet in their homes. They were encouraged to make their own pizza bases and to use low-fat cheeses, fresh tomatoes and tuna; all ingredients the parents admitted they would not have thought to buy.
As bad diet is a major concern to health workers in many parts of England, ‘Grassroots’ Family Support in Pendle Parent Support group will hopefully be the forerunners of changing eating habits in the area.
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