Better your health and the health of our planet
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According to Nutrition Australia, childhood obesity rates are now at 25% and Australians are recognised as one of the biggest producers of waste globally.
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According to Nutrition Australia, childhood obesity rates are now at 25% and Australians are recognised as one of the biggest producers of waste globally.
Such news isn’t exactly music to anyone’s ears, let alone parents’. But, there are things that can be done so we are all in better shape in the future.
Nutrition Australia’s (NA), mantra – “the food and lifestyle choices we make can impact on both our health, and the health of our planet,” is a good place to start. The lifestyle decisions we all make everyday, often about the little things, is what makes a difference. Yet it can get overwhelming. Which is why NA’s Healthy Food Healthy Planet- Helping Families to a Healthy Future kit, should make your decisions that bit easier.
We all need inspiration once in a while and the kit, as you can see, is a great motivator and full of clever health-focused ideas. But we’re all time poor, so to make life easier here’s my pick of tips - a cheat sheet if you will.
Enjoy!
- Family meals are important to wellbeing. These times (breakfast, lunch or dinner) can, by sharing good food and laughter, be the most enjoyable time of the day.
- For better outcomes, try to involve the family when planning weekly meal menus.
- To save money, buy seasonal fruit and veg and, where possible, buy from local producers.
- Choose fruit over processed snacks (it’s often still cheaper)
- Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers – when too tired to cook you have a well-priced, healthy meal alternative ready to go.
- Try not to fuss over mess created at meal times, especially when kids are young, make eating together fun.
- Don’t get obsessed with the amount your child eats in a day, it will vary, look at what they eat across a week to get a clearer picture of habits.
- Take an interest in childcare, preschool or school food meal environments – are they positive? Is a range of nutritious food available and promoted?
- Taking a lunch box to school or work is a good idea because it: saves money, controls portion sizes, includes healthy food choices and, because of less throwaway packaging, is good for the environment.
- If possible, grow your own fruit, veg and herbs or buy organic. It’s better for the environment and your hip pocket.
Do you have a tip on how you and your family live a healthy lifestyle?
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