Promoting the importance of health eating
The Healthy Cooking Company was established in 2013 with a mission to develop healthy eating habits of children attending Queensland Childcare Centre Services.
We strongly believe that introducing nutritious meals at an early age will pave the road to a lifetime of healthy food choices. It is in their early years that children develop their tastes and attitudes about food and nutrition; hence, it is an essential time to educate and promote the importance of healthy eating.
Our goals
- To ensure educators have a better understanding of healthy eating and help educate children in their care.
- To provide children attending Queensland Childcare Centre Services and their families with wholesome food – naturally!
- To encourage family-style dining to develop a healthy food culture within the family setting.
For many reasons, your child may need a special diet. We acknowledge this and try our best to accommodate for these requirements by supplying vegetarian and red meat free options. We also create delicious meal options without lactose as well as a variety of recipes without gluten, dairy, tomato and fish. To ensure the safety of children who experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), all of our childcare meals are made without the use of nuts or eggs and pride ourselves on being an allergen aware kitchen.
Recent statistics show:
- Only 4.2% of adults consume the recommended serves of fruit and vegetables
- Only 4.3% of children consume the recommended serves of fruit and vegetables
- Only 23% of children met the recommended activity level (60 minutes per day 5-12yrs, 180 minutes per day 2-4yrs)
- In 2022-2023 available dietary energy for children 2-18yrs from sugar, saturated fat and sodium were all above the average recommended requirements
- 24% of Australian children are overweight or obese
- Many studies show that a diet rich in a range of vegetables is a vital part of preventative health by reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, eye and digestive problems. In fact, dietary risk factors were the the 3rd leading prevenetable cause of ill health/death in 2018.
Our nutrient-rich meals are thoughtfully crafted to nourish and fuel growing bodies, providing children with the essential vitamins and minerals they need for optimal development. Beyond just meeting nutritional needs, our meals are designed to instill healthy eating habits from a young age, promoting a lifetime of wellness. By offering delicious, wholesome food, we aim to create a vibrant food culture that encourages a positive relationship with food, helping children to thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.