Families Urged to ‘Feel the Fibre’ from Veggies for Better Health
People across Northern Ireland are being urged to ‘Feel the fibre’ to enjoy better
health by adding more fresh vegetables to their daily diet.
Backing the UK initiative is Food NI, the local food promotion body which has
longstanding links to Veg Power, the not-for-profit on a mission to increase the UK’s
veg, fruit and bean consumption and The Food Foundation, a charity that aims to
make healthy and sustainable food affordable and accessible for all.
Their ‘Feel the Fibre’ campaign, launched last week, aims to help close the nation’s
fibre gap by increasing healthy sources of fibre including beans and pulses.
FoodNI’s Michele Shirlow explains: “The aim of the campaign is to change our food
culture over the long term by involving chefs, nutritionists, retailers, schools,
caterers, media partners and businesses. The need to create a healthier food culture
was identified as one of the key objectives in Northern Ireland’s new Food Strategy.”
The UK currently has a huge fibre gap with 86 percent of primary aged-children not
meeting their 20g daily fibre target despite its many benefits to our gut, immune,
digestive and heart health.
Eating sufficient fibre is particularly important for school children as it slows down
digestion, helping to prevent classroom hunger crashes and maintain focus
throughout the afternoon. Interestingly, new data from a Veg Power survey found
only 46 percent of parents recognised that their child needed to eat more fibre
highlighting increased awareness and education is needed.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, chef, TV presenter, adds: “Fibre is a vital part of
healthy eating, but largely missing in so many British diets – particularly with our kids.
And beans and pulses are one of the very best ways to get more of it.
“They’re also extraordinarily good for the planet – building soil fertility, reducing the
need for chemical inputs, and offering incredible nutritional value for very little
environmental cost.”
