Pizza challenge

March 7th 2010

Local health experts are prescribing pizza as the latest step to help fight obesity across the top of the South.

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board is encouraging everyone to add the crusty treat to their diet during the Autumn Challenge.

NMDHB Primary and Community general manager Peter Burton said his team had developed a recipe that tastes better than bought pizza, was cheaper than take-away, and was good for you.

“When we say pizza, we’re not talking about the deep fried variety that comes in a box,” he said.

“We’re talking about delicious home-cooked fare, made with nutritious ingredients that is good for you.

“If you follow our recipe, you can feed a family of four, for about $8, in around 30 minutes – and it tastes great. Trust me, give this a try and you won’t want to dail-a-pizza again.”

“And because it’s been approved by our dieticians, you can feeding it to your family with peace of mind.”

The pizza recipe is part of the Autumn Challenge – launched this week as part of the NMDHB’s public education campaign designed to help local families enjoy healthier lives.

“Health is not something that happens in hospitals,” Mr Burton said.

“Health is life – and it’s in our own hands.

“The NMDHB is working hard to help our residents enjoy longer, happier, healthier lives.

“We know how hard it can be to find the time to exercise and to come up with affordable meal ideas.

“That’s why we created the Autumn Challenge – it’s full of fun, easy and cheap ideas that can have real benefits for your family.

The Autumn Challenge will distribute recipes, posters, soccer balls sweat bands, vegetable seeds and permanent shopping bags to 5000 local families.

“Our research shows that time, money and ideas are the three biggest barriers to a healthier lifestyle,” Mr Burton said.

“The Autumn Challenge addresses all these by providing tools and ideas that don’t take a lot of time or money.

“It links with home gardening, cooking, fresh produce and fun, relaxed activities. And all the recipes call for in-season and therefore cheap produce.

“We’re lucky enough to live in the best part of world – these challenges are about tapping into what’s fresh and local and sustainable – so we can enjoy it for a long time.”