Across Australia, school canteens use the ‘traffic light’ system to help teach kids to make healthy food choices. Since this is already familiar to them, Smarty Plants has used the same symbols for our recipes so that little chefs can make good decisions on what they cook and eat.
GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT – Eat Often
These are the best choices and can be eaten every day because they are low in fat, sugar and salt but have a wide range of nutrients. These recipes include lots of fruit and vegies and small amounts of reduced fat dairy or lean meat.
AMBER TRAFFIC LIGHT – Eat Occasionally
These foods have nutritional value and can be eaten occasionally but shouldn’t take over the menu. They may still contain fruits and vegies but include ingredients that moderately increase the level of fat, sugar and salt.
RED TRAFFIC LIGHT – Eat Rarely
These recipes are high in kilojoules and possibly fat, salt or sugar as well and have low nutritional value. They should be cooked and eaten rarely, perhaps for special events, but should only form a very small part of the menu.