Dietitian Sarah Keogh Advocates for School Meal Programs

In a recent episode of the *Real Health* podcast, registered dietitian and founder of Eat Well, Sarah Keogh, discussed the critical role of school meal programs in addressing food scarcity among children in Ireland. Keogh highlighted the alarming number of children who go without adequate food, attributing this issue to both financial constraints and the busy schedules of parents. She expressed her appreciation for government initiatives aimed at providing nutritious meals to students, stating, “It’s fantastic that the government have this program in place.”

During the conversation, Keogh also addressed common misconceptions about processed foods. Many individuals fear that processed or ultra-processed foods are inherently unhealthy. Keogh clarified that processing is a broad term, noting, “Once you have done something to food, it is now processed.” She provided examples to illustrate her point, explaining that cooking a chicken breast transforms it into a processed food. Furthermore, she remarked on homemade items, saying, “If you make soda bread and mix your brown flour and buttermilk together, you have made an ultra-processed food because you’ve heated it and added a food additive, which is baking soda, known as E 500.”

Keogh’s insights shed light on the complexities of nutrition and the importance of understanding food classifications. She encouraged listeners to focus on the overall quality of their diets rather than getting caught up in labels.

The podcast episode serves as an important reminder of the need for accessible food programs for children and the necessity of educating both parents and children about nutrition. By demystifying food processing, Keogh aims to empower families to make informed choices that promote better health.

Listeners can access the full episode of the *Real Health* podcast through various platforms to explore these topics in greater depth.