Research has shown that eating just one additional serve of fruit or vegies per day could save the direct health care system over $513 million a year*.
However, survey findings released today by Brisbane Produce Market showed a staggering 93 per cent of children were eating less than the recommended daily allowance of vegetables and over a quarter (26 per cent) were not eating enough fruit each day.
Despite this revelation almost half of the parents questioned through the Brisbane Produce Market Healthy Eating Survey were well aware of the Government’s recommended number of five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit per day.
Parents cited their child’s food preferences as the key factor preventing them from preparing healthy meals. Some 45 per cent said pleasing fussy eaters was the biggest barrier to preparing healthy lunchbox meals with almost half of the parents surveyed always or often including pre-packaged foods such as muesli bars and chips to keep their kids happy.
Surprisingly, less than a quarter of parents named the perceived cost of healthy eating as a notable barrier, although 41 per cent said information around healthy eating on a budget would help them prepare healthier meals.
The findings were released to mark the launch of Brisbane Produce Market’s book Healthy Lunchboxes – for kids of all ages, an initiative devised to complement its Kids Education Program and help parents create tasty, affordable meals for their families. Brisbane Produce Market spokesperson, Vikki Leng, said the survey unearthed some interesting facts around healthy eating.
“It is encouraging to see that three-quarters of parents make their child’s lunches on a daily basis,” she said.
“However, while healthier options such as water, fresh fruit, sandwiches, wraps and bread rolls are often included in packed lunches, less than half of the parents (45 per cent) always or often included fresh vegetables such as salads, sandwich fillings and vegie sticks. This indicates there is definitely room for including more fresh vegetables in the lunchbox and helping their children reach their daily recommended serves.
“This could be down to a number of factors such as their child’s food preferences, cost or convenience. Providing affordable, delicious recipes that can be pulled together in just minutes is part of Brisbane Produce Market’s commitment to helping parents feed their families healthy food.”
Dietitian and nutritionist, Maree Ferguson of Dietitian Connection, worked with Brisbane Produce Market to help create the Healthy Lunchboxes book. She said it was understandable parents wanted to give children food they enjoyed but that healthy food doesn’t mean compromising on taste.
“Healthy Lunchboxes includes 10 sample lunchbox combinations that contain foods from the five food groups. Each lunchbox is based on fresh produce that not only offers good value for money but is great for our health too,” she said.
“We also know it’s important that meals are quick and easy to prepare. This is why Brisbane Produce Market has created the Healthy Lunchboxes book – to show parents how easy it is to make healthy, delicious meals for the whole family.”
Healthy Kids Ambassador for Brisbane Produce Market’s Kids Education Program, Ben Hannant, said he applauded the initiative and hoped it would encourage more parents to cook healthy family meals.
“As a father, I realise the importance of shaping good eating habits for life,” he said.
“Healthy Lunchboxes is a brilliant book that will empower parents to improve the eating habits of both themselves and their families.
“We enjoy preparing healthy snacks and meals, such as those featured in Healthy Lunchboxes, together as a family.”
Healthy Lunchboxes is available now from local greengrocers in South East Queensland. While the RRP is $14.95, many greengrocers will be offering the book at a special introductory price. For more information and to find your nearest greengrocer please visit www.brisbanemarkets.com.au.
ENDS
* Source: QLD Health – The Health of Queenslanders 2012
For more information or interviews please contact Kate Ward at Ignite PR & Marketing on 07 3368 1650 or kate@ignitepr.com.au