The Irish Hotels Federation has launched a new children’s healthy eating initiative for hotels and guesthouses across Ireland. ‘Food for Kids’ encourages participating hotels to provide healthier menu options for children and is the first nationally co-ordinated campaign of its kind in Europe.
With over 250 members signed up so far to implement the initiative, chefs from hotels and guesthouses across the country have been provided with healthy preparation guidelines and suggested menus with an emphasis on balanced nutrition. The initiative, which is being rolled out nationally from the 1st August 2008, was officially launched by RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan who stated it is a significant step in the right direction to provide a more balanced choice for parents and children when eating out.
‘Food for Kids’ offers parents’ fun, interesting and healthy meals when eating in hotels and guesthouses and reinforces healthy eating habits with an optimum balance of proteins, carbohydrates and nutrients. The initiative was developed in partnership with independent dietician Margot Brennan and offers a comprehensive range of menu options and guidelines which are being distributed across participating hotels and guesthouses. As part of the initiative, hotels will also be given the opportunity to have their own suggested menus assessed by Ms Brennan.
Speaking at the launch, Matthew Ryan, President, Irish Hotels Federation stated that Irish hotels and guesthouses prepare over five million meals for children each year and ‘Food for Kids’ provides a significant opportunity to assist address the pressing health issue of childhood obesity in Ireland.
“ Healthy eating habits are established early in life, so Irish hotels and guesthouses are stepping up to the mark by providing a healthy alternative and helping parents by providing healthier food options for their children. A lot of the family favourites will still be available but they will be prepared and cooked in a more wholesome and nutritious way. ‘Food for Kids’ will not result in additional costs for guests but will help provide parents with wholesome and enjoyable menu options while on holiday or visiting participating establishments.”
Margot Brennan welcomed the ‘Food for Kids’ initiative and highlighted the important role simple measures can play in reinforcing a healthy eating message among parents. “Food eaten outside the home tends to be lower in overall nutritional quality and higher in recommended rates of fat. One of the main objectives of this initiative will be to reduce the levels of salt and fat used during cooking and to promote healthier options such as baking, boiling and poaching rather than deep frying foods.”
Participating hotels and guesthouses will display the easily recognisable ‘Food for Kids’ symbol on menus and on hotel websites so that parents can make informed decisions on the property they choose for family meals.
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