Obesity and poor nutrition in South Africa is a real concern, especially among the youth of our country.
Studies show there are a growing number of childhood obesity cases and it has become a worldwide epidemic, with SA being the third most obese country in the world. Some 61% of South Africans are overweight or morbidly obese (Health24) and one in every four children struggle with weight issues.
It goes without saying that the poor state of our country’s waistline is due to a lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. Health experts say your diet is 80% of the solution to a healthy lifestyle.
A healthy diet includes foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and key nutrients. This is what our children need for growth and development. What better place to get these essential nutrients than in delicious dried fruit and nuts.
The results of changing your child’s diet will speak for itself. Some studies have shown children to be calmer and more focussed, display improved concentration and a better response in class.
Give your snacks some oomph:
- Let your child choose three or four of his favourite dried fruits and one of his favourite nuts and let him mix his own trail mix – with a few tablespoons of chocolate chips for some sweetness. Pack in small zip lock bags for an early morning / afternoon snack.
- Bake some delicious wholewheat muffins and add ½ cup raisins and some seeds. Let your child help with the baking.
- Make some delicious health bards with muesli, nuts, seeds and honey.
- Make your own chocolate covered dried fruit, however instead of dipping the whole fruit just dip ½ the fruit.
- Make delicious date balls, but replace the biscuits with finely crushed almonds and pack these in for school.
Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts strives to make a healthy lifestyle, fun. Their wide range of snacks for children make it easy for parents to provide children with a variety of tasty, yet healthy snacks.
Substitute sweets with yoghurt or carob-coated dried fruit, raisins or dried fruit flakes and replace crisps with biltong and nuts.
Visit Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts in Galleria Mall, shop G33A, near Checkers and choose from more than 165 deliciously healthy and fun snacks.
For more information and fun snack ideas visit www.montagudriedfruitnuts.co.za or like them on Facebook.
Good to know
Dried fruit
- Rich in potassium, calcium, iron, phosphor and magnesium
- Packed with anti-oxidants to assist the body in the cleansing of its systems
- Fibre works wonders for the digestive system
Nuts
- Packed with healthy Omega oils for brainpower
- Contains lots of minerals
- Selenium in Brazil nuts helps the body to fight cancer
To stand a chance of winning one of three Montagu Dried Fruits and Nut hampers, fill in the entry form below and submit.
The competition starts Monday, 3 November and closes at midnight on Monday, 17 November.
Winners will be notified by Friday, 21 November.
T & C Apply – click here to read.
Staff of promotional and advertising agencies may not enter.