School meals have always been something to be joked about but recent studies showed that many of our schools did indeed need a shake up when it came to providing healthy nutritional meals for children and their diet needs.

Reports showed that meals being served in schools were far from healthy, with meals such as burgers and fries being served on a regular basis with very few fresh vegetables.

Maybe some of the problem was through choices from the children themselves, how many children do you know who would choose omelette, spinach and baked potato for lunch when they could have burger and fries.

So recently big changes have been made to the majority of schools and the menu, instead of offering fizzy drinks containing a lot of sugar schools have now cracked down and are replacing them with fruit juices.

Schools that have a tuck shop are now giving the option of purchasing fruit also and are now offering low fat varieties in crisps. Children now have access to nutritional leaflets in schools explaining the right types of food which make for a healthy diet but in a language that is easy for children to understand.

Healthy eating in schools

The food we eat has been linked to how we behave and a study showed that children who start the day off with a good healthy breakfast had a better concentration span, were better behaved overall and less hyper active than those who skipped breakfast.

However children who ate sugary breakfast cereals or pancakes for breakfast tended to leave the child hungry half way through the morning and tired. The child’s behaviour was distracting and they had a lack of concentration.

Convincing schools to change school meals policy has taken a long time, but they are now realising the changes they can make and see the results in lessons and test score improvements.

The value of eating healthy and well balanced meals are now being included in lessons in school even in infant schools, as we are learning that the earlier we start teaching our children the importance of eating right the better impact it makes.

Some schools are taking part in schemes such as fruit and vegetable schemes which covers children between the ages of 4 and 6; this scheme entitles the child to a free piece of fresh fruit or vegetable everyday.

The aim of schemes like these is to encourage children from a young age to eat more fruit and vegetables. Some schools also take part in milk schemes which provides milk free of charge to children under the age of 5.

A sensible diet and a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to everyone but more so the elderly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of heart disease, gastrointestinal problems and help to maintain a higher quality of life.

Problems the elderly may have

There are a number of things that can have an effect on an older person’s lifestyle, such as changes in appetite. As we get older we don’t seem to feel the need to eat as much as when we were younger, or maybe through the loss of a spouse the elderly person now living alone is no longer interested in cooking for one.

The use of medication can also have an effect as can changes in financial circumstances, if the elderly person is on a limited income they may struggle to afford to maintain a healthy well balanced diet and lifestyle.

Growing older also means we slow down and the elderly may not get as much exercise as they once did which can be another cause for loss of appetite. Even if they don’t need to take in as many calories it is still important that they receive the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are essential to healthy living.

Getting help

For the elderly on a limited income there are options available such as community service programmes that are specifically designed to help with nutritional needs. Services such as home delivered meals can be tailored to specific dietary needs and tastes as well as a fixed income.

For the elderly who are able to get out and about there are senior centre meeting points which not only provide company but also provide meals.

Assistance can also be given to the elderly when it comes to planning and shopping and if the elderly have financial problems then they may qualify for food stamps.

The elderly person should also be aware of medical conditions which could have an adverse affect on there nourishment and should always see there Doctor for any problem that reoccurs.

Food hygiene is of particular importance and sometimes with age comes loss of memory which may lead to stomach problems if food isn’t dealt with properly.

Care should be taken to store food at the right temperature, makes sure all meat, fish and poultry are well cooked, food poisoning can be deadly especially with the elderly.

Help can be given in the home in the form of social carers who will come into the home of the elderly on a daily basis and help to check on such conditions.

It is worth checking what your local council has to offer as there are several options available to the elderly and house bound person for assistance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.