21 Raring2go! FEATURE Nourishing Our Future: Why a balanced diet for Children matters Ensuring our children receive proper nutrition is essential for their growth, development, and overall well-being. As parents, we play a key role in shaping their dietary habits, which lays the foundation for a lifetime of health. A balanced diet provides vital nutrients, with fruits and vegetables offering essential vitamins and minerals, whole grains providing sustained energy, and proteins supporting growth and muscle development. Variety is crucial to achieving balance. Encourage children to explore a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, such as whole grain pasta, rice, and bread. Let them help select fresh produce and try new recipes to make mealtime fun. Protein should come from a mix of lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, and plant-based sources to provide the necessary amino acids for healthy development. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks is also important. Water should be the main beverage, and natural sweeteners like fruit can be used to satisfy sweet cravings without excess sugar. As parents, we need to lead by example. Children observe us closely, so by prioritizing a balanced diet ourselves, we teach them the importance of making healthy choices. By providing nourishing meals, we can help ensure our children grow into healthy, vibrant individuals with a bright future ahead. Just for One Night, Help with youth homelessness Wyre Forest & South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation Service is seeking volunteer hosts to provide safe emergency accommodation for young people facing homelessness. With youth homelessness on the rise, the charity needs more volunteers than ever to help offer a safe place to stay, even if just for one night, for vulnerable young people aged 16-25. The charity believes every young person deserves a secure place to sleep, especially those escaping difficult home situations like domestic abuse or neglect. Many of the young people they support have come from social services care and lack stable family support. Volunteers play a crucial role in offering a temporary, safe haven for these young individuals. A new short film, available on the charity's website, shares the experiences of current volunteers and those they have helped, providing potential hosts with insights into the rewarding nature of the role, as well as the training, support, and expenses provided. Family breakdown is the leading cause of youth homelessness, and with funding for local youth services being cut, Nightstop’s service is more vital than ever. If you're interested in helping change a young person's life, contact Wyre Forest & South Worcestershire Nightstop to learn more about becoming a volunteer host. Visit their website: www.wyreforestnightstop.org.uk/hosting, email info@wfnightstop.org or call 01562 743111 for further details. Cath & Peter – Nightstop Hosts
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