Schools should take a long hard look at their canteens and cafeterias. We are serving our kids food that harms them physically and affects how well they learn. We can't expect the best from our kids if we keep stunting their development at such a core level. Schools should be the first to understand this, and practice it. Kids spend most of their waking hours in school. We shouldn't normalise processed junk and sugar by exposing them to it all day.
The government, to its credit, took a stand against junk food by banning it in school canteens. This still remains more legislation than action (I know of several schools where nothing has really changed), but it is a step in the right direction. However, a ban alone won't work unless there's something to replace what it takes away. No one should expect people to change their eating habits without an alternative that's healthy, but also tasty and accessible. It's not immediately obvious what our kids will eat in school if the ban takes effect, and I believe businesses have a real opportunity to answer this—and fill a growing gap in the market.
That gap is why our small team at @KetoQueen set up a food lab to research and develop food that's healthy, delicious and affordable—the latter two have been missing from our healthy food supply for years.
Our first range is nut milks: single-serve almond and cashew milk drinks as plain, chocolate, iced coffee and cinnamon latte. Dairy-free options here have been limited and expensive, and we wanted to change that.
Our newer range may suit schools even better. They're fruit juices with the pulp kept in to retain the fibre, the closest thing to eating the whole fruit. Instead of sugar, they're sweetened with sucralose and organic coconut sugar, and mixed with coconut water. Available in Pineapple, Sweet Orange, Passion Fruit and my personal favourite, Mango.
We have more good stuff in the pipeline, including snacks, high-protein foods and even candies, all developed from first principles to be genuinely good for both kids and adults.
I will supply at cost to the first school to bring Keto Queen into their canteens.
Happy Children's Day!