Eretia's good food guide

Making fresh food fashionable is no mean feat: but at eden, we are dedicated to providing children and teenagers with meals that not only look great, but help them to feel great.

A healthy diet is one that is balanced: rich in bread, potatoes, rice and other cereals, fruit and vegetables, whilst providing a moderate amount of milk, dairy and protein sources such as meat, pulses or beans, with limited amounts of foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

Bread, Rice, Potatoes, Pasta and other Starchy Foods
Providing our bodies with energy rich carbohydrates, these foods play
an important role in sustaining growth. Complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice and wholemeal bread provide slow releasing sustenance: helping to improve concentration and maintain energy levels through
the day.

> Our pastry and pizza dishes use a minimum of 25% wholemeal flour.

Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables can be eaten tinned, dried, or as juices, as well as fresh. They are rich in fibre, which is crucial for healthy bowel function; and the many vitamins, minerals and protective antioxidants they provide promote growth and development. Children and young people should be aiming to eat a minimum of 5 different portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

> We add no less than 6 blended vegetables to our pizza bases.

Milk and Dairy
Comprising milk, hard and soft cheeses, yoghurt and fromage frais, these foods are a key source of bone and teeth strengthening calcium. It is recommended that we eat 3 portions of milk and dairy products each day.

> Dairy foods form part of our savoury dishes, like lasagne, as well as our sweet sauces, like custard.

Meat, Fish, Eggs, Beans and Other Non-Dairy Sources of Protein
Apart from meat, fish and eggs, this group includes non-meat protein sources such as beans, pulses, nuts, soya and Quorn. These are the building blocks for growth, repair and development. It is recommended that we have 2 –3 servings a day from different protein sources.

> Every main course that we serve contains a source of protein.

Foods and Drinks High in Fat and/or Sugar.
Children and young people should aim to limit the amount of high fat, sugar and salt rich foods in their diets. When consumed in high quantities, these foods are linked to health problems such as tooth decay, childhood obesity, and high or raised blood pressure. At eden,
we employ a strict No Added Salt Policy: flavour being added to food through the use of herbs, spices and lemon juice. We use only lean meat: adding as little fat to cooking as possible; and the fats we do
use are only the poly or mono unsaturated varieties.

> Our use of sugar is reduced by using fruit to add sweetness.