News Bites

Take life on…one step at a time

Earlier this year the Scottish Government launched its Take Life On campaign, which is highlighting the small changes Scots can make to improve their health.

The campaign focuses on three key areas that have a big impact on health – what you eat, how active you are and how much and how often you drink alcohol.

The emphasis is on improving health one step at a time and making small changes which fit in with your lifestyle.

Improving your diet can be simple and with almost 1000 food outlets now signed up to the healthyliving award, it’s never been easier for Scots to choose healthier options when they eat out.

The Take Life On campaign explains that eating a bit healthier doesn’t have to mean missing out on favourite foods – small, simple changes which fit in with your everyday life can make a big difference to your overall health.

Swapping your morning coffee for a glass of fruit juice and having some vegetable soup for lunch rather than a sandwich, gives you two of your five a day right away. And if you are having a sandwich, opting for brown bread and low fat spread or light mayonnaise can make it healthier.

You don’t have to cut out treats either – just make them a bit healthier. For example, if you’re having a pizza, go for a thin base instead of deep pan and have chicken or vegetables instead of extra cheese or pepperoni.

For more information on how to be healthier, one step at a time, please visit www.takelifeon.co.uk.

Table Talk

School pupils go “Out to Lunch”

The Scottish Consumer Council (SCC), now part of the new Consumer Focus Scotland, recently published the findings of a survey looking at lunchtime choices of secondary school pupils.

The research examined why pupils at three different schools chose to take their lunch outside school and what they bought to eat. Although choices amongst pupils from the three schools were different, chips, crisps and sweets were all amongst the most popular selections.

The SCC acknowledged that, as many teenagers will always choose to go out of school for lunch, retailers should play their part in improving young people’s diets.

As over half of 14-to-16 year olds choose to go “Out to Lunch”, the healthyliving award is a great way for local businesses to grab the opportunity to keep their young customers happier and healthier.

Food Service Sector
Involved in the food service sector and would like to know more? Click here
Customers
Do you sometimes want to eat healthily when eating out? Click here
issue eight: November 2008
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