A café in Littleport is being praised after meeting requirements to become a member of the Healthier Options scheme.

Fieldside Café at Littleport Leisure Centre is celebrating becoming a Healthier Options member and as a result will be listed on the members page of the Healthier Options website and receive a certificate to display on their premises.

The county-wide Healthier Options award scheme encourages local food outlets to pledge small changes to the way they prepare and deliver food to increase food and drink choices for consumers and emphasise the benefits of healthy eating.

The free scheme is led by Public Health at Cambridgeshire County Council and is delivered in East Cambridgeshire by Environmental Health at East Cambridgeshire District Council.

People eat an increasing number of meals outside of home, which can often be higher in sugar, fat, salt and calories. Unhealthy food and drink choices from outlets can contribute to rising levels of obesity. To create more consumer choice, Healthier Options works with local food outlets to include and promote healthier ingredients and dishes, which are prepared using healthier cooking techniques.

East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Littleport Councillor, David Ambrose-Smith, said: “We are thrilled that Fieldside Café in Littleport has become a member of the campaign and look forward to seeing the healthier changes that they have implemented.

“Changes such as reducing the amount of sugar, salt and fat will make a huge difference to the customers.

“Feedback from other food outlets who are a part of the scheme have been nothing but positive and continues to help customers when choosing healthier options.”

Val Thomas, Consultant in Public Health at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “It is brilliant that another business in the district has received the Healthier Options award. This is particularly important as the award is to a leisure centre, so people can be active and enjoy a greater choice of tasty, healthier foods and drinks at the same time.”

The Fieldside Café in Littleport will join a number of different food outlets who are also a member of the scheme including The Copper Cup, whose low-fat chilli has proven to be extremely popular, and The Swan on the River in Ely, which has removed salt from their tables and only providing it when requested.

Councillor Carol Sennitt, who is an Environmental Health member champion, said: “The Healthier Options scheme is something all local food outlets should get involved with.

“With more people eating out than cooking meals at home, it’s incredibly important to provide healthier choices on menus.

“We would encourage more local outlets to get in touch to find out how they can do more to encourage this in their businesses.”

Free support is offered to food outlets wanting to become a member of the Scheme if they have a food hygiene rating of three or above.

For more information visit the Healthier Options website www.healthier-options.org.uk or follow Healthier Options on Twitter @Healthier_Cambs.