Our Live Naturally CIC team have had the privilege of collaborating with the BCCH Youth Club. This has worked to help young people in Bridgwater adopt healthier eating habits. This initiative is part of a three-year project, generously supported by the Hinkley Point Community Fund and is aimed at fostering positive lifestyle changes to enhance the physical and mental well-being of Bridgwater residents.
Over the course of six weeks, 30-40 young people have eagerly embraced freshly baked, unprocessed natural foods at the Canalside Centre. This has been running on a Tuesday evening. Previously, the offerings at the youth club often leaned towards prepackaged and sugary foods like soft drinks, crisps, cakes, and biscuits. Following the recent partnership with Live Naturally CIC, the focus has shifted towards natural, unprocessed foods in alignment with government guidelines for healthy eating.
Contrary to popular belief, children and young people don't only desire sweet and sugary prepackaged food. We firmly believe that given the option, they prioritise food that not only tastes good, but which also makes them feel good both physically and mentally. While ultra-processed foods may tantalize our taste buds, more and more research indicates a detrimental effect on our overall well-being.
So, what do our young people truly desire in terms of food?
To answer this question, we conducted a survey after six sessions, with 29 enthusiastic responses. The results defied expectations: 100% of respondents expressed a preference for continuing to enjoy natural, unprocessed, homemade food over sugary drinks and processed snacks.
Moreover, a remarkable 26 out of 29 respondents expressed interest in participating in further healthy eating projects. One such initiative, the "30 a Week Challenge”, starting after the Easter holiday, is a project which will encourage families to explore the consumption of 30 different plants each week.
Research shows that consuming at least 30 different plant-based foods every week fosters a rich diversity of beneficial gut bacteria. This, in turn, has profound implications for both physical and mental well-being.
If you're ready to join the "30 a Week Challenge" journey, sign up on our website today and join us in nurturing a healthier, happier future for our community.
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