Food News, with Christine Rutter

A GROWING number of children in the region are shunning fresh fruit and vegetables and gorging on high-calorie sugar and fat.

One in six children claimed they did not eat any vegetables, while one in 10 admitted to never eating fresh fruit at a time when a nutritious diet is paramount for growth and development, according to a research by ZESPRI International, kiwi fruit marketers.

And the culprits? The parents, according to another piece of research, which found almost half of the county's mums allow their children to help themselves to whatever they want.

Hard-pressed Northern mums want to ensure their children get only the best when it comes to food but the temptation to hand out chocolate and crisps when the nagging becomes too much is overwhelming.

Seven out of ten admitted to giving into demands for snacks with one third handing out sweets and snacks in return for peace and quiet.

The survey by Jacob's Bakery also backed up the claim that most kids have unhealthy eating habits.

The results showed that youngsters would grab a packet of crisps to stave off those hunger pangs while nearly half would opt for biscuits.

Eating patterns for fruit and vegetables are established in early life, reinforcing the importance of early experiences of healthy food choices, said Alison Scarborough, community dietician for East Lancashire Health Authority. With a high proportion of children, who 'snack' or 'graze' in-between meals on sweets and crisps, it was important that parents provide their children with a nutritious and balanced diet, she said.

Now children have return to school for the new term, parents should be ensuring their children get all the vitamins and minerals they need to flourish with a healthy packed lunch.

Alison added: "Childhood is a time of rapid growth and development and the ideal time for establishing healthy eating patterns. The very low intake of some key vitamins and minerals will reduce energy levels and could affect a child's development at school."

She added: "The giving of food is often associated with love, so if a parent does not give the child what it wants they feel they are not loving them enough.

"As a parent, you are responsible for their eating habits. Make sure snacks are flesh fruit and don't stock cupboards with biscuits and crisps. "

Mother Val Riding was shocked when she found that her 11-year-old son Simon was eating unhealthy dinners most days at school.

"I thought he was eating meat and two veg for his school dinners. I couldn't believe it when he told me he was having chips and a doughnut. There are healthy options at his school but I know he won't pick them."

To tackle the problem, Val, of Denville Road, Blackburn, decided to pack him off to school with a nutritious, healthy packed lunch four times a week. "About once a week, I will let him have school dinners but by giving him pack lunches most days, I can ensure he eats something healthy during the day."

She added: "Fruit and vegetables are important as they have an impact on your health in the future. I had my greens forced down me when I was younger but I appreciate it now and have got used to eating healthy food."

Phil Sowerbutts, senior teacher at St Andrew's Primary School in Blackurn, said he was not shocked by the results.

"I'm not surprised by the research really. Children think eating vegetables is an uncool thing to do. The ad-men and manufacturers need to market vegetables in a more positive light, then children would eat their greens."

He added: "We have healthy options with schools dinners but half the children bring packed lunches.

"I suspect parents find it difficult to always find something healthy to pack in their lunches.

"There is nothing wrong with the occasional sugary food but it should be balanced with fruit and veg which are essential for children's growth."

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