Meat Free Mondays in London - Croydon Health

http://londonvegansocieties.com/lmfm/

London Meat Free Mondays

Croydon Health Officials

Now that the #changeyourplate campaign seems to be getting off the ground thanks to an article in the Daily Mail  and the success of The London Vegan Society In Southwark It's probably about time we had another stab at trying to talk the Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Council in Croydon into tackling the obesity and diabetes problems in our area head on.

#LondonMeatFreeMondays is in line with the latest research that we should eat MORE THAN 7 portions of fruit and vegetables a day and government recommendations that say that any amount of red meat increases your risk of bowel cancer and that no more than 1 small portion of meat should be eaten per day.

Croydon's PCT dietitians have claimed in the past that a plant based diet is something the British Dietetic Association cannot condone as it excludes important food groups even though their (out of date) Vegetarian and Vegan Diet information sheet admits 'Well planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of life'

NHS eatwell plate advises a portion of Cake and Cola a day

 With the certainty that 5 a day, probably only 3 portions of vegetables a day, is woefully inadequate to help protect our children from chronic disease isn't it time we started a meaningful education program with one day a week focusing on increasing the foods we need to eat more of.

One Meat Free Day a week across all council sponsored facilities seems the very least a responsible administration could do.

Croydon Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says 'The latest NHS recognised research has at last caught up with Nutrition Therapist optimum Nutrition advice that is we should be eating at least 5 portions of vegetables a day,  3 portions of fruit with an emphasis on berries, at least one portion of beans a day and one portion of essential fat rich seeds a day. The fact that we need to encourage and educate children and their parents about eating more natural, fresh, plant foods is undeniable even for a head in the sand Tory Council with a laissez faire attitude to public health"

It's unquestionably not a case of letting sleeping dogs lie, the rabid dogs of morbid obesity, heart disease and childhood diabetes are biting health budgets squarely on the bum - it is irresponsible to simply dismiss solutions such as a 5 a Day Day in Croydon

Healthy School Lunches / Scarlett Johansson Urges Congress to Pass Healthy School Meals Act

Healthy School Lunches / Scarlett Johansson Urges Congress to Pass Healthy School Meals Act

Scarlett Johansson has recently sent a request to Congress to add more fruits, vegetables, and healthy meal options to school lunchrooms.

This is great news that a greater focus has been put on the next generation to avoid our health mistakes and get our school kids to learn healthy habits.

Johansson has written a letter to Congress urging support for the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010, H.R. 4870, which was introduced on March 18 by Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado. The bill would reward school districts for offering plant-based vegetarian options and healthful nondairy beverages.

“I’ve been involved with efforts to feed hungry children for years,” writes Scarlet. “Millions of families in America rely on subsidized school lunches, and these meals are absolutely crucial to children’s well-being.”

Scartlett Johansson stars in The Other Boleyn Girl and Lost in Translation.

Lets hope that the new Croydon Council is inspired by these new initiatives and the Meat Free Monday Campaign to adopt our campaign for 5 a Day Days in Croydon Schools and Hospitals.