Healthier Diets In Bulgarian Schools - Not Before Time

I have written many time about the obesity factor in Bulgaria and this is all down to western fast food just swamping diet here. Most young Bulgarians are fed on fast food not only in school but at home. Time to cook homemade meals just doesn’t happen in many younger generation family homes and this is aided and abetted with a massive fast food campaign from global fast food companies such as McDonalds (spit!) and other addictive junk food. Glad to see that the Bulgarian government is recognising that and schools (which after all it a place to educate) are taking some form of action.

The Bulgarian government on Thursday banned potato crisps, soft drinks, instant soups and high sugar-content cakes from school canteens to fight obesity.

The regulations will come into effect when the new school year starts on September 15, the health ministry said in a statement.

Ministry expert Masha Gavrailova recommended that schools start offering healthier foods such as mineral water, fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, wholegrain bread and pasta, fish and lean meat.

A 2008 study on Bulgarian first-grade children showed that 30 percent were overweight and 13 percent obese, the ministry said.

Compared to a 2004 study, obesity rates among children had more than doubled, it added, highlighting the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.

Source: www.google.com