Generation of Kids with Healthy Habits Stump Parents' Meal Planning
BRAMPTON, ON, Aug. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) – With a new school year on the horizon, it's a great time for parents and families to examine their existing routines and find ways to live a healthier, balanced lifestyle. A recent survey conducted by the President's Choice® team found that seven out of ten Canadian parents feel that their children are more health conscious than they themselves were at the same age and nine out of ten parents surveyed feel that their kids are making healthier eating choices.
While kids may want to make healthier choices, half of parents say they still find it a challenge to regularly prepare nutritious meals at home. The number one reason parents gave for not preparing healthier meals was that they don't have enough time, while 15 per cent of parents said it's because they lack the knowledge required to prepare healthier meals at home.
"Fall is always a busy time of year, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to create healthier dishes for your family," says Novella Lui, registered dietitian and senior manager, Product Development at Loblaw Companies Limited. "It's a great season for parents to refresh their routines and take the time to educate their kids about healthy eating and the importance of living a balanced lifestyle. Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations have a wide range of nutritious products, recipes and tools parents need to create a healthy routine this September."
Here are some quick-and-easy tips from Novella that will help parents kick-start healthy family eating routines this fall:
- Start at home: According to the survey, eight out of ten kids learn about nutrition at home, so involving kids in the decision-making at mealtime is a great way to start teaching them about healthy eating. Parents can involve their kids in weekly meal planning, from choosing recipes, to grocery shopping and food preparation.
- Make it simple: Nearly half of Canadian parents find nutritional labels confusing. But grocery shopping can be made easier by using Guiding Stars, an in-store nutritional navigation program that helps to identify nutritious options. Products receive a star rating on a scale of three stars that helps identify a food's nutritional value. Kids can get involved by picking out items with a specific star value – which will help them learn what foods are good for them. For more information, visit www.guidingstars.ca.
- Focus on taste: Taste is important to kids. In fact, one out of four kids won't eat healthier because they think that less nutritious choices taste better, while 15 per cent think nutritious foods taste bad. However, 65 per cent of kids would choose healthier meals if they knew they tasted good so parents can use this as an opportunity to shake up their recipe repertoire. Visit pc.ca for delicious and easy recipe ideas and tips.
Healthier eating routines are within reach
Real Canadian Superstore®, Zehrs®, valu-mart®, Your Independent Grocer®, Fortinos®, No Frills®, and Loblaws® locations have everything Canadians need to educate their families and help them make nutritious choices this busy season. These quick and easy meal ideas from the President's Choice® brand are a great way to get started:
While mornings can feel like a race against the clock, it's important to always start the day with a satisfying breakfast. According to Novella, the ideal breakfast should contain at least three out of the four food groups from Canada's Food Guide. The PC® Blueberry Raspberry Probiotic 0% M.F. Greek Yogurt and PC® Oats and Honey Biscuits for Breakfast paired with a piece of fruit, are perfect options for the morning rush hour.
For lunches this fall, it's a good idea to go for foods that keep kids fuelled throughout the day, like a flavourful sandwich packed with protein and fibre using PC® Quinoa & Flax Multigrain Bread and PC® Free From™ Honey Maple Flavour Turkey Breast*. Those looking for even bolder flavours can substitute regular cream cheese with the new PC® Everything Bagel Flavour Greek Cream Cheese in a sandwich. For great snack options the kids can bring to school the PC® Organics Appletreet™ Unsweetened Apple Blend, or PC® Organics Baby-Cut Carrots are perfect for any lunch box. And for a treat, the PC® Little Penguins Chocolate Chip Soft Cookies made in a peanut-free facility, are a delicious option.
For hearty and delicious dinners, PC® Loads of Chicken with Broccoli will please any chicken lover, while families on the go will love PC® Blue Menu™ Italian Farro Precooked Spelt that is very high in fibre and can be ready in less than 10 minutes.
Visit pc.ca to find more great products, recipes and videos to help you with the back to school season.
Product samples and high-resolution images are available.
*all chicken and pork in Canada are raised without the use of hormones
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted between July 18th and July 25th 2014 via Ipsos Omnibus Surveys. A total of n=1009 Parents (18+ yrs. old) with kids under the age of 18 were interviewed using an online survey. A sample of this size would yield a margin of error of +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus™ and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.
SOURCE: Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Public Relations Department, 905-459-2500 / [email protected]; Hayley Judge, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, 416-413-4730 / [email protected]
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