How to get your kids excited about a healthy Hallowe’en

If there was ever a day when children aren’t interested in fresh produce, it must be Hallowe’en! But did you know that October also contains World Fruit and Vegetables Day? We like a challenge, so we thought we’d combine the two events into one spooky day of deliciousness. After all, the bright green flesh of a Zespri kiwifruit makes it a perfect ingredient for Hallowe’en related recipes, surely? Plus, as one of the most nutritious fruits available¹, you can balance out some of those many chocolates and sweets!

Why celebrate World Fruit and Vegetables Day with your kids?

Fruit is one of the most important food groups for maintaining and promoting good health². It’s especially vital for growing bodies, since childhood is the moment when we form lifelong habits and preferences. Basically: if your child eats fruit now, they are more likely to eat fruit later, which can help reduce the risk of chronic disease, obesity, and excess weight³.

How can Zespri Green kiwifruit help your kids eat more fruit?

Children often need encouragement to make healthy choices. Not only are Zespri Green kiwifruit fun to eat, but their delicious juicy sweetness appeals to young taste buds. On top of that, it’s a versatile fruit which can be combined into a variety of delicious snacks, smoothies and meals to be eaten at different times of the day. And if you’re short of time, all you need is a spoon and a couple of kiwifruits with the tops cut off. Children love scooping out the bright green flesh straight from the skin.

What healthy ways are there to celebrate Hallowe’en?

Children might not naturally opt for a green smoothie most of the time, but what if it was a super spooky, Hallowe’en-themed one?! This creative recipe is high in fibre and packed full of vitamins and minerals including antioxidants, folic acid and potassium^1,4. But you don’t have to let them know that! Get them involved in making it and you’ll be amazed at how imaginative they can be. Many fruits and vegetables combine deliciously with Zespri Green kiwifruit, and with a little decoration of the glass or bowl you can create a Halloween inspired treat that they’ll never forget.

References

1. Boland M, Moughan PJ. Advances in food and nutrition research. Nutritional benefits of kiwifruit. Waltham, MA: Elsevier Inc; 2013. https://www.elsevier.com/books/nutritional-benefits-of-kiwifruit/boland/978-0-12-394294-4

2. Senc GC de la, December 2016. Food guides for the Spanish Population (SENC, December 2016); the new pyramid of healthy food. Nutr Hosp[Internet]. 7 December 2016[cited 4 July 2018];0(0). Available at:http://revista.nutricionhospitalaria.net/index.php/nh/article/view/827
3. Government of Spain. Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food. PLAN FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION IN SCHOOLS 2016-2017[cited 10 July 2018]. Available at: http://www.alimentacion.es/imagenes/es/0.%20Plan%20Nacional%20Fruta%202016-2017%20_tcm8-46133.pdf
4. The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited. (2015). New Zealand Food Composition Database: New Zealand FOODfiles 2014 Version 01. Retrieved March 30, 2015 from http://www.foodcomposition.co.nz/foodfiles.