If you spot any giant bananas around the Island this Friday (May 18) you could win a basket of fruit in a competition organised by The Children’s Centre. It’s all to celebrate Fruity Friday which is an annual awareness day devised by the World Cancer Research Fund. Fruit contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fibre and other phytochemicals – naturally occurring plant compounds that can be beneficial to your health by protecting cells in the body from damage that can lead to cancer.
Danni Mottram, Healthier Outcomes Worker at The Children’s Centre, is leading the campaign to encourage all Island residents to eat more fruit. On Fruity Friday giant inflatable bananas will be located around the Island and anyone who spots them can enter the competition to win a basket of fruit. If you spot a big banana all you have to do is write the location on The Children’s Centre’s Facebook wall and you will be entered into the prize draw. Just go to www.thechildrenscentre.org.im to access the charity’s Facebook page.
Danni said:
“A balanced diet should include five portions of fruit or veg every day. A portion is the size of one handful – this works for both adults and children. Fruit has many benefits as they are packed with phytochemicals. Choosing a variety of different coloured fruits provides a good mix of these health-enhancing nutrients and Fruity Friday is all about encouraging everyone to make sure they include fruit as a regular part of their diet.”
To celebrate Fruity Friday, Danni suggests adding a banana or blueberries to your breakfast cereal as an easy way to get one of your daily fruit portions. Making fruit smoothies also provides a nutritious and refreshing snack for all ages - and with summer holidays coming up they are also great for parents to make with and for their children.
Fruit smoothies and fruit juice generally count as one portion of fruit and veg which is a good way to help make up your five a day. However, as the fruit has been blended, the fructose (fruit sugar) is broken down and becomes a simple sugar which can damage teeth. Therefore, it’s best to consume smoothies at mealtimes, not between meals.
Danni says:
“A strawberry and banana smoothie is easy to make. Just cut the stems off your strawberries and give them a rinse in water. Peel the bananas and cut into smaller chunks. Place the strawberries, banana/s, a little milk and/or natural yoghurt and a few ice cubes into the blender. Add a little honey for extra flavour if required. Mix it all together and enjoy!”
For more information about Fruity Friday go to www.fruityfriday.org
Image Caption: Danni Mottram, Healthier Outcomes Worker at The Children’s Centre, and Martha Griffiths get ready to celebrate Fruity Friday
