James Speirs and Bethany Martin last week helped to launch the latest government measure to promote healthy eating by children when they hosted a visit from Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown to Shawhead nursery in Coatbridge.
Mr Brown unveiled new guidance for nurseries and childminders on providing nutritious meals and snacks for under-fives.
The Nutritional Guidance for Early Years builds on the Hungry for Success programme in schools, and includes nutritional information and recommendations on meals and snacks, advice on developing healthy eating habits, and information on dental health and physical activity.
The nutritional guidelines include a recommendation that foods such as Turkey Twizzlers, chicken nuggets, burgers, and even haggis, should not be eaten more than once a week because of their high salt and fat content.
Ronnie Hill, Director of Children’s Services Regulation for the Care Commission, said: “We believe the new guidelines will help all those involved in providing day care for children to improve the quality of food that is on offer.
“Over the next year, as part of our inspection programme, we will be asking providers about how they are using the guidelines. We are looking forward to working with them on this initiative, and seeing a positive impact on the health of Scotland’s children.”
