INDEPENDENT NEWS

Eat smart live longer beats dying overweigh

Published: Thu 7 Aug 2003 03:00 PM
Eat smart, live longer beats dying overweight and early
Green Party MP Mike Ward has rubbished claims that eating well costs too much, saying poor-eaters might regret subsequent poor health in later life.
Mr Ward, Green Spokesperson for Senior Citizens and Sport and Fitness said that eating fresh, local and in-season produce is more important than cost for mindset and conditioning.
"To avoid being one of 11,000 premature deaths through poor nutrition and lack of exercise, try a trip to the veggie shop," urged Mr Ward. "It is cheaper, results in much more product, less processing and a whole lot less packaging.
"But this isn't about to happen unless we slow down and take some time out of the frenetic pace of modern life. While it takes time and knowledge to eat well, it can also be the source of much pleasure.
"While most of us seem to be prepared to take the risk getting sicker and of dying younger, we need to ask is it what we want for our children, because there is no way our children can expect a different future than the one we condition them for.
"If we want to protect our children from the epidemics of cardio-vascular disease and type-two diabetes then we need to take them to the green grocer with us, buy them fruit rather than chippies and sweets and let them see us preparing and serving the real thing from an early age.
"Then we need to make our streets safe enough to let them loose on foot and on their wheelie things for some great fun and exercise, and back the whole process up with a different set of messages from our media.
"Let's not create virtual-fun for our children by setting up in front of televisions and video games - let them experience the real thing," said Mr Ward.

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