Welcome To Let’s Get Fit4Life
Welcome Mums and Dads to the section on our website especially to inform you, of some interesting and useful facts to help get your whole family Fit4Life!
According to research, eating too much fat, sugar and salt, and not eating enough fruit and vegetables affects student's performance in school. It affects children's energy levels, and their ability to concentrate and learn. It can also lead to increased illness and absenteeism. Studies show most children in the U.K. are not eating enough fruit and vegetables.

Why is 5 A Day Important For Health?
All national health authorities recommend eating at least 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day to promote good health and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. Research shows that people who eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day have half the risk of cancer and one-third the risk of heart disease compared to people who eat fewer fruits and vegetables. So it makes good sense to include these vital foods in your whole family's diet every day.
Making small, permanent changes to the way you shop and cook can add up to huge savings in excess fat and sugar. And it will have a lasting impact on the health of your whole family. Always read labels and avoid additives where possible. Avoid fizzy drinks. Cut down on fat in every meal. Choose lean meats and trim off visible fat. Buy low fat cheese, yoghurt and milk.
When you go shopping, take a list with you of the foods you need and stick to the list. Don't be tempted to buy extras that are not on your list, and try to buy your fruit and vegetables from small local shops and farmers markets to save on packaging and travelling to large supermarkets in your car. This way you will not only be helping to keep your family healthy, you will spend less money by only buying what you need, and help the environment too!

What Counts as a 5 A Day Fruit or Vegetable?
All fresh fruit and vegetables and canned, frozen or dried fruits and vegetables provided that no fat or sugar have been added and the salt content does not exceed 480 mg per serving. All juices or juice blends that are 100% juice with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

DURING 2008, WHY NOT START A PROJECT THAT YOUR WHOLE FAMILY CAN WORK ON TOGETHER?
With all the TV programmes on designing your garden and growing your own vegetables and home cooking, why not suggest to your family that you will design and grow your own vegetable patch this year and then harvest and cook your own home grown produce, and finally cook the food together in your family kitchen. How about coming up with new and interesting recipes!!
It can be a great way for the whole family to be involved and after the initial set up, it can be run on a low budget. Everyone in your family will benefit by the exercise of gardening, cooking and eating the fresh produce, but most importantly from your whole family working and having fun together.
Children could keep gardening diaries of what you are growing and charts of how many fruits and vegetables you are eating every day, it's a fun way for them to learn about plants, insects and wildlife as well. If you visit our other website: www.garythegardener.com you will find some great gardening tips and advice to get you started.