Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_03_29/GA_2903_E1_036.pdf 

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36 N E W S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

March 29 2007

Get children involved in preparing school lunches, urges dietitian
BY MARY O'CONNOR A leading dietitian is urging parents to get their children involved in preparing healthy school lunches and to ensure they have some choice in what they put in their lunchboxes. Grainne Green, a senior community dietitian with the Health Service Executive West, says children need to eat a variety of foods every day to be healthy. "But many parents say one of the major problems with school lunches is when children come back home with them uneaten! To avoid this, parents should try to give their children some choice about what they take for lunch, and if possible, get them involved with preparing the healthier foods." She stresses parents can give children a healthy school lunch that tastes great and is good for them, too. "Healthy lunches are important for children and help with concentration and learning. It is important for parents to set a good example with the lunches that they pack for their children. One way of doing this is to encourage children to be involved in their own lunch preparation and to give them choices about foods to include. Praise your child when they choose well and remember there are endless healthy food choices available for lunch boxes." Ms Green was speaking in advance of the launch of a new healthy eating pack for primary schools in the city tomorrow (Friday). The pack includes guidelines on setting up a healthy lunch policy, tips for parents, support leaflets for schools and an information pack for school nurses. It also includes information on nutrition, why schools should promote healthy behaviour, what schools can do to encourage healthy eating habits, the role of parents in promoting healthy lifestyles and what can be done if you have concerns about a child's eating habits.

Garrett and Carmel Phillips with Alan Bundschy and Ruth Smith attended the 30th anniversary dinner of the Voluntary Services Abroad sponsored by AIB, at the Ardilaun House Hotel.

Get guitar picking for April
Aspiring Galway guitarists take note, as the Guitar Made Easy classes are starting up again for April. The April term of Guitar Made Easy classes run for 12 weeks in venues in: Oranmore (starting Monday 2), Galway (Tuesday 3), Tuam (Wednesday 4), and Castlebar (Thursday 5). To cater for demand, extra classes are running in each of the four venues. Beginners classes are at 7pm and 8.15pm, with the advanced class starting at 9.30pm. Tutor Kevin McNicholas says the classes area a "fast, fun, and easy way" for beginners of all ages to get started on the guitar. "You don't need any prior musical knowledge, you don't have to learn to read music, and there are no exams," he says. For more information contact Kevin on: 093 - 36724 or go to www.guitar-made-easy.com