Every time the results of the child feeding survey are published, at Vicente Peris we throw our hands up in the air. How is it possible that with the nutritional information we have at our fingertips, there are still so many children with such harmful eating habits?
The appeal of the lack of time of some parents to opt for lunches and snacks such as muffins or cookies is less and less sustained. There are healthy ‘fast food’ options in any supermarket, such as peeled and cut fruit, packaged fruit ready to eat on the spot.
The advantages of individually packed fruit
At Vicente Peris, seven years ago we inaugurated our division of peeled, sliced and ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables. Our products can be found in different supermarkets (El Corte Inglés, AlCampo, Consum…) under two brands: Peris and Frutifresh.
What we bring to this sector is the highest quality, both for the choice of the best fruits, at their optimum ripeness, and for the care in the process of working with them. In addition, we are also very strict about food safety. In fact, we work with peeled and sliced fruit(fresh-cut fruit, as it is called in the sector) in a clean room, i.e. an aseptic space with a constant temperature below 8°C, and where we renew the air about 200 times a day. When we change products, we always clean and sanitize the work surfaces so that there is no cross-contamination with allergens, which is why our products never leave traces.
The objective of each of our steps is that when the final customer opens that tub that we are sealing, he/she finds a portion of fruit that nourishes him/her and makes him/her enjoy every bite.
It’s just as quick to go to the bakery section as it is to the greengrocer’s, which is where you’ll find our fruit tubs. Therefore, the time factor cannot be the factor that determines a bad decision.
Children dependent on sugar and processed foods
Although scientists do not agree on whether sugar can be considered addictive or not, it is certain that its presence pleases our palate. If sometimes it is difficult for adults to curb the consumption of products that we know are harmful to us, imagine what it can mean for a child, who does not consider whether one more sweet is going to cause obesity or diabetes, but simply attends to the pleasure he or she perceives.
Therefore, the less we expose children to products with excess sugar and processed products, the less they will demand it. On the other hand, if we get them used to the natural sweetness of fruit, its variety and juiciness, it will be easier for them to ask for more of these healthy products.
And that is the responsibility of adults. Therefore, recognizing that we are doing it wrong, if that is our case, is the first step.
One of the latest campaigns of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs illustrates this situation very well. Under the slogan #LoRececognzco they work to promote healthy breakfasts and snacks, with the aim of impacting those families who have never considered improving these habits or who are just starting to consider the change. The following video is very illustrative and it is difficult not to ‘recognize’ that we have all fallen into one of these mistakes at some time or another.
The reason for this campaign is the child obesity figures in Spain, where one in three children between the ages of eight and 16 is overweight or obese, according to the PASOS 2019 study prepared by the Gasol Foundation. The same study states that 31.7% of children report eating industrial pastries for breakfast on a regular basis.
Another campaign, also signed by the same Ministry, is called ‘Children of Sugar’, and it has the same impact on the enormous amount of this ingredient ingested by children. According to their figures, a child ingests its own weight in sugar per year. That is the official figure and little more needs to be added.
Benefits of fruit in children’s diet
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, as it reduces the risk of developing various diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer, hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, among others. As published by the WHO in 2020*.
They are one of the most important natural sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber and high water content, all of which add up to ahealthy energy boost for children.
Children’s favorite fruits
For children and fruits to get along, it is best to start with the sweetest and most refreshing fruits. Here we make a selection based on our experience and the health properties offered by each one of them.
- Banana: source of potassium, vitamin C and fiber. It is also rich in manganese and vitamin B6.
- Watermelon: its sweetness and refreshing taste is usually loved by children. It is low in calories and 92% water-based, perfect for summer hydration.
- Mandarin: source of fiber and rich in vitamin C.
- Melon: natural and healthy sweetness. Source of fiber and rich in vitamin C.
- Mango: a ripe mango is a marvel and children know how to appreciate it. Source of fiber, manganese, folic acid and vitamin E, and high in vitamins C and A.
- Pineapple: another tropical fruit that is unmatched in its own right. Fresh and sweet. We work with it in two formats, in pieces or in spears, and we have many loyal children among our customers. Pineapple is rich in fiber, manganese and vitamin C.
- Apple: There are many varieties within our reach: sweeter, more acidic, more or less crunchy… It is a great fruit for children, and it is also rich in fiber and a source of vitamin C.
For older children, with whom we do not run the risk of choking, we can also offer them two fruits that they usually like very much:
- Chopped coconut: source of copper, iron, selenium and potassium.
- Pomegranate: rich in fiber and source of vitamins C and K.
Another fact to bear in mind is that it is much better to consume fruit whole than in juice, since in the smoothie we are discarding most of the dietary fiber and we are also ingesting two or three times more than the recommended serving, which is not advisable either.
We hope these tips have helped you to resolve some doubts and to set new nutritional goals. We will continue to give our best every day in our work so that you do not lack quality fruit peeled, cut and ready to eat in a delicious and very nutritious snack.