WAGGA health advocates are bringing healthy eating back to the forefront of conversations as major fast food outlets near double-digits in the city.
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Dietitian Dianne Wintle said many families are time-sensitive making it easier to lean into temptation and turn to takeaway dinner options after an exhausting day.
There are currently nine major fast food stores in Wagga including four McDonald's, three KFC restaurants, one Hungry Jack's and one Red Rooster.
Southcity operators also have plans to bring a 24-hour, seven days a week KFC to the Glenfield Park shopping precinct. If approved, it will become Wagga's fourth KFC store.
Ms Wintle admits there are a concerning number of fast food outlets in town, but residents need to be reminded that cooking a healthy meal does not have to be difficult.
She said adult education is just as important as teaching children about healthier habits because often parents decide what's on the menu for the day.
"It has to be quick and easy or that natural tendency to go for takeaway restaurants will continue," she said.
"Healthy eating doesn't have to be painful, but it does take planning ... and you could find help at a local dietitian, but there are other things too like Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals."
Ms Wintle also suggested meal-kit providers, which has recently become a healthy, convenient option for many households.
In other news:
MLHD's health promotion coordinator Alexandra Walker said the state's Healthy School Canteen Strategy has tried to set a tone for healthy eating and habits in the younger generation.
But she said fast food restaurants built close to homes does have an influence over what a child eats because those living closer to these services tend to eat more of those foods.
"A Californian study found that students with fast food outlets within 800 metres of their schools consumed fewer servings of fruit and vegetables and drank more soft drinks and were more likely to be overweight or obese than children whose schools were further from fast food restaurants," she said.
In her opinion, this applied to school canteens because it is the food and drink surrounding the life of a child.
"We know that if children are exposed to healthy food and drink options they are more likely to choose those and a child who eats better, learns better and the whole goal is to make sure the whole population stays healthy," she said.
Ms Walker said the healthy schools canteen program is proof that consistent work with a clear vision can build healthier habits.
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