A healthy balanced diet contains a variety of types of food, including lots of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods such as wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals; some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and lentils; and some dairy foods. It should also be low in fat (especially saturated fat), salt and sugar.
Did you know?
- Fruit and vegetables should make up one third of the food you eat.
- Eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
- Fresh, frozen, chilled, canned, 100% juice and dried fruit and vegetables all count towards this.
Healthy Schools Programme
The Healthy Schools Programme is a joint initiative between DCSF and Department of Health which promotes a whole school approach to health. The programme aims to achieve:
- Improvement in health and reduced health inequalities;
- Raised pupil achievement;
- More social inclusion;
- Closer working between health promotion providers and education establishments.
The Government has set a target that by 2009 all schools will be participating in the National Healthy Schools Programme and that 75% of schools will have achieved National Healthy Schools Status. Currently 62 out of 79 schools in B&NES have achieved the 'Healthy Schools' status, with 16 schools working towards achieving this status. We have therefore exceeded the Government target.
The Themes
Each theme includes a number of criteria that the schools need to fulfil through a whole school approach in order to achieve National Healthy Schools Status. They include:
- Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE)
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing, including bullying.
More information about the Healthy Schools Programme is available on the Bath & North East Somerset Council website.
Healthy Schools Plus Programme
This initiative is available to schools in the South West that have already achieved National Healthy Schools Status, with the aim of helping to tackle some of the most pressing health issues. It give schools the opportunity to build upon their foundation status to achieve measurable improvements in health and wellbeing of children and young people.
School Food Forum
The School Food Forum has been set up by Bath & North East Somerset Council to try and ensure that children and young people are provided with healthy, nutritious and enjoyable food at school every day. The Forum includes representatives of NHS Bath and North East Somerset, The Soil Association, school governors, head teachers, staff of B&NES council and parents. This is part of national initiatives through the School Food Trust and other organisations to promote health eating in schools. The Forum is working with schools to improve the lunchtime experience for children and to improve the uptake of health meals.
More information about the School Food Forum is on the Bath & North East Somerset Council website.
The Cook It Project
Who are we?
The ‘Cook it’ project works with families across Bath & North East Somerset to improve the diet of pre-school children.
What do we do?
- One-off taster sessions on weaning, healthy toddler snacks and homemade fast food to existing groups such as ‘Stay & Play’
- Individual sessions at your home or local children's centre
- Group cookery courses using everyday affordable foods and adapting favourite recipes
We aim to provide:
- The opportunity to cook and taste with your child
- Information about healthy foods and how to encourage your child to eat them
- The chance to meet others and swap recipes, ideas and tips
To find out more about Healthy Eating contact...