Monday, April 14, 2008
Fruit and vegetables diet can be a “danger for toddlers”
For years nutritionists have recommended a diet high in fiber and low in fat, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Now, however, nurseries are being told the food they serve in accordance with these guidelines is unsuitable for toddlers and could lead to vitamin deficiencies and even stunted growth. 'Nurseries are applying the principles of adult healthy eating to the food they are supplying to young children,' said Sarah Almond, a consultant specialist pediatric dietician who has analyzed the results of a trading standards study into nursery food. 'We expected the study to show nurseries were serving children food that was too high in calories, fat, saturated fat and salt, and low in vegetables and fruit. Instead, we found that the majority of nurseries had gone to the other extreme and appeared to be providing food that was too low in calories, fat and saturated fat and too high in fruit and vegetables.' This situation was putting children at the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, she said.In addition, too much fiber - such as that absorbed through over-consumption of fruit and vegetables - can result in insufficient intake of other food groups and inhibit the absorption of key minerals. 'Because a significant number of children attend nurseries from 7am until 7pm, the food and nutrition they receive there are key to their health,' said Almond. 'Nurseries are applying requirements of healthy eating for school-age children and adults to the one-to-four age group, who have entirely different requirements.'
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Couple willing to give up daughter for proper school
A couple says they are prepared to give up all legal claims to their daughter for the sake of her education. But council officials last night warned that the couple's idea of handing over their daughter's upbringing to a distant relative might not work. Parents James and Stella Coils are considering putting ten-year-old daughter Rebecca into the guardianship of a great aunt, Mary Holland, who lives half a mile from the comprehensive school of their choice, after she was refused a place because the family lives outside the catchments area.Call center workers Mr and Mrs. Coils came up with the idea of changing their daughter's legal guardianship because they are desperate for her to attend Manor College of Technology, in Hartlepool. She has instead been offered a place at St Hild's Church of England Secondary School, five miles from their home, in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool. Explaining their plan, reached after much heart-searching, 34- year-old Mr Coils said: "Rebecca's education will shape her into the person she becomes - so we will give her up to get her into the right school."
Strollers for high rollers: baby buggy costs £1,750
It is the ultimate in buggy-bling: the baby-stroller for the infant - and parents - who must have everything. More Top Gear than Mothercare, the latest pushchair from California harks back to classic 1950s hot rods, with chrome trim kit options, teardrop fenders and surround sound to let the baby rock while you are rolling. The top of the range tailfin Roddler from Kid Kustoms will set parents back at least $3,500 (about £1,750). Customised paint jobs, suede or leather upholstered bucket seats and even brake lights are among extras available. Kid Kustoms' director, Jamie Coblentz, said: "Our Roddlers start with a timeless design and let you build in a host of accessories. It gives the customer a blank canvas. "It's a lot of fun to conceive your own model and I love helping the customers choose their colors and such like." Gone are the days of being relegated to pushing your child in something as stylish as a shopping cart. Our buggies are really made the same way a car is, only without the production line. In essence it's the same as having a custom hot rod for your kids." Five buggies a day are built at the firm's Californian workshop. For those who want a more affordable runaround, $2,000 will buy a Roddler without the custom options. For an extra $500, parents get a choice of eight pearly paint jobs and accessories.
Nesting Time
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