Health and Wellbeing – Fruit & Vegetables: The Rainbow Challenge

Health and Wellbeing – Fruit & Vegetables: The Rainbow Challenge Keeping things simple is key to improving our health and wellbeing in 2019.  Of course, as our previous issues have focused on, this can take the role of getting and staying physically active.  What we should not underestimate, however, is the impact of the food and drink we consume in helping us achieve and sustain personal targets. 

Keeping things simple is key to improving our health and wellbeing in 2019.  Of course, as our previous issues have focused on, this can take the role of getting and staying physically active.  What we should not underestimate, however, is the impact of the food and drink we consume in helping us achieve and sustain personal targets. 

“Eating the Rainbow” is a phrase growing in popularity. No, this does not reference artificially coloured Skittles or M&Ms! But what does it really mean? Why is it important to get a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables in your diet? Eating a diverse range of colourful foods can be an easy way to get a complete range of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive.

It is tempting and all too easy to fall into the routine of focussing on a limited number of foods you and your children like. The truth is, our bodies benefit from variety. For optimal health, we need a rainbow of nutrients and colours. Did you know that naturally produced 'good chemicals' give fruit and vegetables their distinctive colours. In fact, the variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that fruit and vegetables contain have numerous health benefits including: protecting the body from germs, bugs, UV protection from the sun and many other threats.

Starting Monday 4th March, Primary students will have the opportunity to take part in the Rainbow Challenge. 

Aims

• To encourage students and families in the BISB community to broaden and diversify their fruit and vegetable intake as part of our commitment to improved health and wellbeing.
• To encourage healthier eating habits.
• To improve knowledge and understanding of different ways to increase intake of healthier choices

Awards

There are three levels of challenge available to all Primary students.  To successfully complete one, students must consume one fruit or vegetable from each of the six food groups (see below).  As only 6 groups have been identified, the 7th day in each week can be a second fruit or vegetable from any colour group but cannot be repeated.  This should be recorded using the Rainbow Challenge card template. 

Bronze Award: 5 Merit Points

Students must consume one fruit or vegetable from each colour group over the course of 7 consecutive days.

Silver Award: 10 Merit Points

Students must consume one fruit or vegetable from each colour group over the course of 2 consecutive weeks (14 days). 

Gold Award: 15 Merit Points & 'Rainbow Champion Pin'

Students must consume one fruit or vegetable from each colour group over the course of 3 consecutive weeks (21 days).

Year 1-3

• Students in Year 1-3 can evidence their achievements in the Rainbow Challenge in multiple ways.
• Print off the Rainbow Challenge card template and draw/colour the fruit or vegetable you have eaten each day.  
• Print off the Rainbow Challenge card template and fruit/vegetable cards, cut out and colour in those which you have eaten and stick onto your Rainbow Challenge card.
• At the end of the challenge, all printed copies of the challenge can be handed directly to your classroom teacher who will pass these on to the PE teachers in order to receive your Bronze, Silver or Gold award.
• Alternatively, you can try the Year 4-6 challenge of a 'selfie' of you eating your chosen fruit/vegetable, or a plain image of the fruit or vegetable itself is required for each day to be considered complete.

Year 4-6

• To participate, students should log their progress using the Rainbow Challenge template on Firefly, or on any photo collage app.
• A 'selfie' of you eating your chosen fruit/vegetable, or a plain image of the fruit or vegetable itself is required for each day to be considered complete. 
• This task has been set for you and can be found under the ‘tasks’ area of your Firefly Dashboard.  Upon completing the challenge, your personalised Rainbow Challenge should be uploaded.  This is the only way to receive your Bronze, Silver or Gold award.

All information and documents concerning the Rainbow Challenge can be accessed by clicking here through the Firefly portal or at the end of this article.
 

Paul Montgomery
Teacher of Physical Education, Health & Wellbeing Leader