Fast and Healthy Food

Documentaries and books like Super Size Me and Fast Food Nation have put the spotlight on the nutritional risks of fast food and takeaways. Jamie Oliver has taken school tuck shops and canteens to task. The question on everyone's lips is how can busy people incorporate quick, convenient eating into a healthy lifestyle?

Many organisations are trying to gain public support for improving diets and exercise. The New Zealand Government is concerned with obesity and healthy lifestyles, particularly for young New Zealanders. In 2006, they announced the launch of Mission-On, a $67 million government-wide package of initiatives to help young people improve their nutrition and be more active. The aim is to help them understand about the building blocks of a healthy lifestyle good food choices, occasional treats, and being active to improve their chances of being healthy adults. The Mission-On package contained ten key initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and reversing the declining levels of physical activity including:

• the introduction of nutrition guidelines into schools and early childhood education services,
• advertising guidelines for food,
• school-based health promotions,
• the appointment of lifestyle ambassadors to promote healthy choices and model healthy positive lifestyles, and
• interactive youth-focussed websites.

Getting the facts on fast food and what you're putting into your body isn't always easy, but we can help with our range of resources on healthy eating and nutrition.

We recommend: Fast food-related resources

Our online resources:

• Healthy Lifestyle - Health, fitness and nutrition resources.
• Better Diet - feature on improving your diet.

Internet Gateway links

• Healthy Weight for Adults - Useful resource with guidelines on healthy eating and nutrition.
• Nutrition - Ministry of Health publications

Also see:

The Canterbury District Health Board provides a series of helpful leaflets covering nutrition tips and ideas for families. These included the Healthy Nibbles and Healthy Nibbles for Tots series and can be easily downloaded. Some of the specific topics include What’s in a Wrapper? Quick Lunch Ideas which gives sensible ideas for school lunches, Healthy Eating for Teenagers, and How Much Sugar is in Drinks.

Browse the resources in our libraries:

• If you want to make your own quick and reasonably priced meals, search the library catalogue for Quick and easy cookery and Low budget cookery.