Eat Your Greens

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday April 22, 2008

Reports by KYLIE WILLIAMS

HUNTER parents are setting a bad example for their children by not eating their fruit and vegetables.

The Cancer Council surveyed about 1400 parents with at least one primary school age child in the Hunter and New England regions and found 81 per cent of parents did not eat enough vegetables and 47 per cent failed to eat enough fruit.

To combat the problem the Cancer Council is conducting a pilot program, Eat It To Beat It, in the Hunter to encourage parents to eat more fruit and vegetables.

Cancer Council nutritionist Kathy Chapman said yesterday a recent NSW Health Survey showed Hunter residents ate significantly less fruit and vegetables than people living in other regions in the state.

Ms Chapman said parents who ate the recommended daily serve of fruit and vegetables were not only less likely to suffer from obesity, heart disease or cancer but could reduce the risk of their children developing the conditions by setting them up with lifelong good eating habits.

"It's really important that they set a good example for their children," she said.

Ms Chapman said one of the most common reasons Hunter parents cited for not eating enough fruit and vegetables was they were too expensive.

Busy parents were eating more packaged foods and takeaway meals, which usually contained fewer fresh vegetables.

Eat It To Beat It will train a group of parents how to shop for fruit and vegetables within a budget and how to use them in quick, easy and tempting recipes.

They will pass on information to others through their school, clubs, community groups and relatives.

If the program succeeds in the Hunter it will become a national campaign.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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