Chartwells nutritionist offers snacking tips

Pupils in Prep School have been getting tips for healthier snacking.

Clare Hedderman, nutritionist from our catering supplier, Chartwells Independent, visited Hydesville to hold a series of informative and fun workshops on healthy eating, arranged through Gareth Long, catering manager.

Clare’s visit coincided with National Obesity Awareness Week, but also gave her the opportunity to share the Department for Health’s Change4Life public health programme which is urging parents and children to “look for 100 calorie snacks, two a day max”.

Pupils were amazed to see what a 100 calorie snack looks like – including three cucumbers, nine Pringles, and one slice of bread.  The children discussed and offered suggestions about how they can eat more healthily, and were encouraged to select food groups from The Eatwell Guide which provided less energy dense foods in comparison to confectionary.

Clare said: “I was delighted to visit Hydesville Tower to share with the pupils the new Change4Life campaign, ‘100 calorie snacks, two a day max’.  Pupils were shocked to see the amount of high sugar, saturated fat and salt containing snacks consumed by children over the year through the Change4Life short video.  It sparked discussions around what snacks they currently eat and healthier alternatives that they could swap too.

“To follow on from previous workshops delivered on hidden sugars and the Eatwell Guide, I laid out a 100 calorie portion of popular foods from each food group for pupils to see visually; this surprised many pupils and demonstrated the importance of balance in the diet.”

Parents are reminded that pupils can during lunchtimes have unlimited fruit, vegetables and salad. They can also fill up with extra carbohydrates – potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. Pupils simply need to ask the serving staff or the school staff on duty and they can have more.