Fruit In Schools help kids thrive

 The findings come from an independent evaluation of Fruit In Schools, which recently surveyed principals about the programme's impact on nutrition and healthy eating.

The survey found 46% of principals saw fewer behaviour problems in the classroom, while 74% said concentration in class had increased because of the programme.

Principals say the fruit provided "brain food" that helped children to concentrate and stay on task, with 72% of principals agreeing or strongly agreeing that if the programme stopped, academic outcomes would suffer.

Fruit In Schools, which started 10 years ago, provides around 20 million servings of fresh fruit and vegetables to 480 low-decile primary and intermediate schools every day during the academic year.

The Ministry of Health funds the programme and it is managed by United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated and the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust, who commissioned the research.

In the survey, 66% of principals reported an improvement in students' general health, with 35% saying students had fewer sick days.

According to the study, the healthy eating messages are extending beyond the school gate too, with 44% of principals reporting that "many families" were providing fewer sugary drinks and less junk food in school lunches.

All the principals agreed Fruit In Schools contributed to students' positive attitudes, awareness, and knowledge of healthy eating. One principal said the programme had triggered wider dietary changes and the school was now a water-only school for drinks.

Obesity in childhood is associated with a wide range of serious health complications and an increased risk of early onset for illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. The New Zealand Medical Association recommends nutrition to be included as part of the mandatory curriculum in schools.

5+ A Day nutritionist, Bronwen Anderson says fruit and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet.

"It also provides learning opportunities such as learning how to cook and prepare food, recognising and naming different fruit and vegetables and planting gardens."

"Poor diet in childhood is associated with obesity and increases the risk of a range of life-threatening illnesses in later life," she says.

"By introducing fruit and vegetables to children, we can encourage them to follow healthy, active lifestyles that will benefit them for the rest of their lives."

To pack more fresh fruit and vegetables into kids' lunchboxes parents can try the annual 5+ A Day Challenge, which encourages Kiwis to add extra servings of fresh fruit and vegetables to their day for the month of February.

To find out more about 5+ A Day, visit www.5aday.co.nz. Take the 5+ A Day Challenge on Facebook: www.facebook.com/5adayNZ and enter via the app to be in to win a $5,000 Bosch kitchen appliance package.

Tips on how to get more fruit and vegetables into kids' lunchboxes

• Bite-size fresh fruit is easy for wee fingers to handle. Try cherry tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes for minimal fuss.
• Make one day of the week Dip Day. As part of their lunch give kids a yoghurt-based dip or hummus along with baby carrots and cucumber sticks for dipping. Celery sticks with low-fat cream cheese are also an easy option.
• Cut wholemeal pitas in half and fill them with avocado, grated carrot and vegemite; lettuce and mashed hard-boiled egg; or coleslaw and cheese. If using wraps, cut into pinwheels.
• Who doesn't like pizza? Top a toasted English muffin half with a dollop of tomato paste, mushroom, onion, spinach, and a light sprinkling of cheese. Grill until cheese has melted.
• For a kid-friendly salad, mix chopped tomato, capsicum and diced chicken through tri-colour pasta. Mix through low-fat mayonnaise to finish.
• Use cookie cutters to make cool vegetable and fruit shapes.
• Try using cupcake holders for chopped up fruit and vegetables.
• Freeze fruit or vegetable infused ice cubes and add to a drink bottle to keep everything cool.