Healthier School Dinners On The Menu
Expert recommendations to make school food and drink even healthier are being consulted on by the Scottish Government. Strict rules already apply to the nutritional content of meals, drinks and snacks served in schools however following a review by health, nutrition and education experts, views are being sought on proposals to further reduce sugar and other measures to promote healthy choices and help tackle childhood obesity. The proposals include:
- Increasing access to fresh fruit and vegetables with a minimum of two portions of veg and a portion of fruit to be offered as part of a school lunch.
- Introducing lower sugar limits, for example for foods such as breakfast cereal and yoghurts.
- Reducing how often sweetened and baked goods are available in primary schools.
- No longer permitting fruit juice and smoothies to be offered in primary and secondary schools.
- Introducing a new regulation for red meat which specifies, for the first time, how much of a child’s weekly intake should be high-quality produce and limits the amount of processed meat.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “More than 360,000 meals are dished up in Scottish schools every day, setting children and young people up for their lessons and – through learning about healthy habits – for life. While our internationally acclaimed nutritional standards are already very high, we want to go further to promote healthy, high quality food and drink and help tackle childhood obesity. The proposals we are putting forward are based on the latest scientific and expert advice, as well as the views of local authorities, schools and catering staff. I urge everyone with an interest in school food to have their say.”
Eco-Brushing
The Pearly White Club is the UK’s first bamboo toothbrush subscription service, helping to clean your teeth and save the planet at the same time. It is estimated that 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are used worldwide each year, with the average person using 300 in their lifetime. Approximately 80% of that plastic ends up in the sea and then takes over 1,000 years to decompose. Join forces with The Pearly White Club, for just £3 a month or £30 for the year, and a fresh new biodegradable toothbrush will arrive through your letterbox every six weeks so you’ll never forget to change afrayed and bacteria-filled old brush again. Brushes are 100%vegan-friendly and family subscriptions are available too. Sign up at pearlywhiteclub.co.uk
Festival Favourites
Get set for summer family festivals with AA Skincare’s essential beauty survival kit to keep you smelling sweet, whether you have access to washing facilities or not. Their Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Cleansing Bodycare Wipes are a quick andeffective top-to-toe freshen up.Simply wipe over face, hands and body using both sides of the wipe. Suitable for all skin types, the natural wipes are Ph balanced and alcohol,paraben and artificial fragrance free.RRP £3.30 for 25 wipes.
We won’t be stepping outside the house this summer without AA’s Lavender Gel (£6.95/50ml) with healing comfrey, uplifting rose geranium and moisturising calundula. Formulated to soothe irritated, inflamed and unhappy skin as well as cuts and bruises it’s a festival essential as it fits neatly into your handbag or pocket and helps prevent and treat a whole host of skin problems. It’s also effective as a cooling gel after a spell in the sun and offers natural relief for irritation caused by insect bites and stings. Find these and more summer saviours at aaskincare.co.uk
Handy Little Jude’s
Ice cream experts Jude’s, are celebrating a new arrival. Little Jude’s chocolate and banana milk uses only 100% naturally sourced ingredients and gives kids an extra health boost with added vitamin D and calcium. With absolutely no refined sugar, the nutritious drinks have been naturally sweetened with honey to ensure sugar is kept as low as possible. Available now from Sainsbury’s priced £1.25/180ml.