The Nation's Health

Health Tips: Aboriginal - better foods for kids

It can be hard for Anangu and Yapa to get healthy food in community stores

* The healthy foods may have run out. * There may be only a few baby foods in the store. * They might be really expensive. * They might not be fresh.

If your kids are crying for junk foods

* Try to give them something healthy but tasty like fruit juice or dried fruit. * Ask the store manager to put the unhealthy foods up high out of reach of children, where they can't see them. * Talk to your children about how good foods can help their bodies stay healthy.

Crying for bicycles

At one community the store was selling kid's bicycles. Every day the children were crying and asking their family to buy them a bicycle.

The families wanted to make the children happy so they bough many bikes. The bikes cost a lot.

When they bought bikes, they didn't have enough money for food for the week. So the parents asked the store to stop selling bikes. The store did this and so parents could buy enough food again.

If you find it difficult to get good foods

* Have a meeting with other worried families. * Decide what you need to happen. * Talk to the council. * Talk to the store managers. * Organise a good food program for children through your playgroup, childcare, preschool or school.

8.1/10 stars (2010-01-08