Healthy Eating
As we approach half-term, we want to remind all parents about establishing healthy eating habits at home. Take a look at this useful update from the Healthy Lives Team at Tower Hamlets.
Update from the Healthy Lives Team
Children need a regular meal pattern to ensure balanced energy levels throughout the day. To achieve this, children should have three main meals and two to three snacks in between meals every day.
Try not to grab snacks like biscuits, crisps, chocolate and pastries as these are high in added sugar and saturated fat. Try to have healthier snacks on hand instead which help to sustain energy throughout the day and provide beneficial nutrients.
Examples include:
- Veggie sticks (carrot, celery, cucumber and pepper) and dip (hummus, guacamole or tzatziki)
- Fruit and berries with plain yoghurt
- Rice cakes with peanut butter or avocado
- Smoothies -made with mixed fruits, skimmed milk/yoghurt, berries and spinach (maximum of 150 ml smoothie a day)
- Mixed unsalted nuts
Making nutritious snacks more available can help to make healthier snack choices. Having a bowl of fruit on display on the kitchen counter or setting up a healthy snack shelf can help your children to notice the healthy choices. Getting the kids to help out chopping veggies and preparing snacks can be a fun activity that can encourage children to try new foods.
Click the links below to find out more about healthier snacks.
NHS Healthier Families
Nutrition Foundation
Dietetic Association
