Encouraging healthy eating habits

Soroptimist International of Jamestown recognises that the sooner children are introduced to wholesome, nutritious choices, the easier they will be able to develop a healthy relationship with food.

Members of the service organisation therefore, recently on World Food Day, encouraged students of Good Shepherd Primary School to adopt healthy eating and drinking patterns from an early age, which can promote good health and well-being later in life.

President Cheryl Niles warned the Class 4s during an interactive session about the dangers of added sugar – contributing to hyperactivity, increasing the risk for obesity and diabetes.

“Stay away from sugar,” she stressed.

“Do you know the sugar content of those beverages you love? ...If you could give up that ‘sweet drink’, have a bottle or glass of water. It is always a good choice; it’s always a better option.”

Armed with baskets full of fruits and vegetables, President Niles thoroughly explained those which aren’t as healthy as people may think, pointing out that, “Some people think that they are making a healthy choice, when in fact they may not be.”

“You must eat healthy; vegetables are very important to our diet. But, the green vegetables are much better for you – the broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, kale… Carrots and pumpkin are loaded with sugar… Also there are ‘healthy carbs’ – sweet potatoes, yams, eddoes, breadfruit, and cassava,” she highlighted.