The Minister of Health has again urged parents to ensure their children eat healthy meals, and keep the junk food to a minimum.

Speaking at the ‘TT Moves’ health and wellness festival on Saturday, he said meals such as chicken & chips, pizzas and hamburgers are not meal plans, but can be consumed in moderation.

Terrence Deyalsingh also again urged persons to drink more water and less sugary drinks, while also eating more fruits and vegetables.

He says parents could allow the junk food as a treat, and urged them to take ownership of their families’ health.

Meanwhile, at the festival, the Minister also emphasised the need to focus on mental health, such as depression, suicidal thoughts, family violence and gender-based violence. “There is no wellness, there is no health if you are not mentally and psychologically healthy. There is no dividing line between mental health and physical health, and we are bringing those two elements together.”

The minister also did a “soft launch” of the Ministry’s TT Moves pedometer app. “We are asking people to set a goal of 4,000 steps per day. It tracks your calorie output, and as we add more features, it will become your passport to good health, and we are going to launch this in schools,” Deyalsingh said.