Sophia Komninou
A CAMPAIGN is urging parents to limit snacks for children to two a day, and 100 calories a piece.
The aim of this initiative from Public Health England, is to reduce childrens sugar consumption – according to its data, children eat on average 10kg of sugar every year, with about half of this coming from sugary drinks and snacks.
Though encouraging children to eat healthy snacks isn’t easy, that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible feat.
Here’s how to make it less of a labour. 1. Be creative There is only so much vegetable sticks and hummus that anyone can eat before it gets boring, so you will need to get a bit creative with the snacks on offer. But this is not about going over the top with Pinterest-worthy creations either. Bright colours and interesting textures will do the trick, as well as pairing already well-liked flavours with new tastes. 2. Stock up with different choices Rather than just having single snacks to hand, get a couple of alternatives ready. Have pots of plain yoghurt in the fridge, nuts and raisins ready to be scooped out in handfuls or some oven roasted vegetable crisps with a small amount of dip in the cupboard. 3. Avoid sugary drinks While fizzy drinks are generally regarded as the most unhealthy options, fruit juice and smoothies aren’t as healthy as they seem either.
F la - voured water and squash can also contain sugar so that leaves plain water as the best option for children to drink. Though many kids will say they don’t like the taste, adding a squeeze lemon or orange, or infusing a large jug with mint and strawberries will help change their minds. 4. Don’t forbid but do control The occasional biscuit or chocolate bar will not jeopardise a child’s eating health habits, so long as it is just one or two every once in a while. As a rule of thumb, try not to keep sugary snacks in the home, avoid offering them if the children don’t ask for them, and limit the quantity offered if they do. 5. Start thinking about meals, too While snacks are easier to target through public health campaigns, remember that reducing sugar consumption should be done holistically. Start thinking about moderating desserts after meals and sugary breakfasts. 6. Eat healthy as a family Children learn from what they see adults doing, so it is important that parents also make healthy choices. Research shows that children who participate in frequent family meals are more likely to eat fruit and vegetables, and they have more healthy eating habits overall that can continue in adult life.