Food News, with Sonja Karlsen

CHILDREN getting wise to the benefits of a good diet after the launch of a new book to teach them about healthier eating.

The Cool Food big book will be sent to almost 2,000 primary schools across the country -- 2,615 in the North West -- after a survey by supermarket chain Iceland revealed nearly half of parents in Britain did not think their children ate a healthy diet.

The Mintel survey showed 18 per cent of parents nationwide attempted to follow the Government's "five-a-day" fruit and vegetable guidelines and that three quarters of the 1,000 people interviewed thought schools were the key to providing nutritional information.

Half of these felt schools should have some responsibility in providing their children with a healthy diet.

The brightly-coloured book, which will be distributed free, is a complete guide to food, nutrition and healthy eating, in line with the national curriculum and will be used by school teachers during literacy hour for eight to nine-year-olds.

Its 24 pages are split into nine main categories, covering food, nutrients and nutrition, ingredients and recipes, energy, protein and fat, carbohydrate and fibre, vitamins and minerals.

The giant book, measuring 39cm by 49cm, also looks at a balanced diet, the five food groups, a healthy lunch, food and illness.

Author Carol Matta said: "Children's diets are often not as healthy as they should be and government figures show that kids don't eat enough fruit and veg. "Learning about food is an important part of a child's development and the book is a great way for teachers, parents and health professionals to get the message across in a fun way."

Bill Wadsworth, technical director of Iceland, said: "Unfortunately, many children don't learn about food nutrition at an early age.

"It would appear that a lack of understanding of the link between diet and long-term health is one of the major barriers to healthy eating.

"By providing schools with the Cool Food big book we hope we can help children learn about food and the importance of nutrition early on, before they develop bad eating habits."