Assignment 2 - Article 2

What’s in a Vegetable?

Getting your five a day is essential to a healthy diet and lifestyle. School dinners have especially changed since new health guidelines have restricted what schools provide for children.

Nutritionist Nicola Lowe explains why a balanced diet is important and what is necessary in a healthy meal.

She said: “Having your five a day is a government initiative and awareness of healthy eating. It is a way of spreading the message that people should be getting the correct balance of nutrients in their diet”.

A balance meal should consist of the three prominent nutrients your body needs. Nicola explains: “A healthy meal should have between 55-60% carbohydrates, 30-35% fats and 10-15% proteins”.

She adds: “Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are important for growth and repair, for example calcium builds strong bones”.

Children at school should be getting a healthy dinner. Nicola out lines an average healthy meal: “You need proteins like, lean meat or fish, if your vegetarian pulses such as beans, lentils and dairy products”.

“A diet should also include carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice and vegetables. Fats are important as well, but in limited amounts”.

Some schools today do not give children the option of sweets, crisps, chocolates or fizzy drinks as guidelines have advised to not have these items in schools. Many schools have also removed vending machines.

Nicola agrees that sandwiches and Baguette’s including a filling of chicken, cheese, salad, eggs or tuna is “fantastic” as it provides children with essential proteins.

The map shows three primary and secondary schools in Preston with a short description of what’s on offer in their canteens.


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