Giving Our Children a Chance at Health
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 5:17AM Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Blog Carnival
This article was written for inclusion in the blog carnival hosted by Littlestomaks to promote awareness of childhood obesity as part of the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Please read to the end of this article to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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There is a minimum of 47,000 food products on the grocery store shelves across American. With the bombardment of “kid food”, which includes multiple ingredients, additives and colorings and is not limited to home. School lunches are packed with sugar, salt, fat and preservatives. During the back to school season you can find even the “healthier stores” have sections of prepackaged food for ease and convenience. Do our children really have a chance at living a healthy long life?
Just 50 years ago eating was simple. You bought your meat from the butcher, grew your own fruits and vegetables and maybe had milk and eggs delivered to your doorstep once a week. Animals ate what they were historically made to eat–grass and foliage. Our food was grown in an organic state and we cooked from scratch.
Statistics show that one in three Americans born after the year 2000 will develop diabetes and most children will have shorter lives than their parents.
How can our generation take responsibility for our children and ensure their health and longevity?
Here are some steps to take to feed your healthy child:
1. Limit processed and packaged foods – limiting processed foods lowers the amount of sugar, salt, and preservatives your child is taking in on a daily basis. If you purchase foods in packages use the “less than 5” rule – choose foods with less than five ingredients that you can pronounce and recognize.
2. Plant a garden with your child and allow them to help harvest and prepare the produce. If unable to have a garden, take your child to a local Farmer’s market and have them pick out 2 or 3 of their favorite fruits and vegetables. If they are involved in the process, they are more likely to want to consume those foods.
3. Consider purchasing protein from animals that are grass-fed, pastured, organic and free-range – beef, poultry, eggs and dairy as they produce healthy fats which lower inflammation in the body. Animals that consume corn/grains produce fats that increase inflammation in the body. Organic foods have fewer hormones, which lowers risk of weight gain and health issues.
4. Go Homemade- if your child wants to eat cookies, French fries, or other foods with additional salt or sugar, make those foods with them – homemade cookies and fries can be made with healthier ingredients.
These 4 steps can direct your child’s life towards health and longevity. It may take a little extra time and planning but the rewards for you and your child are life-changing. Children are precious and we need to give them all the health we can before… it’s too late.
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Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants: 7 Things Parents Say That Cause Eating and Weight Problems in Kids Michelle May, Physician and author of Eat What You Love Love What You Eat, highlights a few things parents say which can have unintended consequences (@EatWhatYouLove) Childhood Obesity Kia Robertson of Today I Ate a Rainbow suggests that prevention of childhood obesity should start with education and educating parents about basics of healthy eating by breaking it into achievable parts (@eatingarainbow) Childhood Obesity: A Reality Check Dr Susan Rubin, founder of BSF, suggests we change our approach to looking at childhood obesity (@DrSuRu) Childhood Obesity: Prevention Starts in Infancy Nutrition expert Sarah Fennel reminds us that prevention is the best cure and offers a few tips to raise healthy eaters (@FoodFunHealth) Giving Our Children a Chance at Health Registered dietitian Susan Dopart offers tips to parents for taking charge of their child's health in the world of over-processed "kid foods" (@smnutritionist) Healthy School Campaigns Works on Creating Healthy Food Environments A report on Chicago's Healthy School Campaigns (HFC), a non profit dedicated to creating a healthy food environment in schools How to Prevent and Manage Childhood Obesity Registered dietitian Jessica Levinson offers practical tips to prevent and manage childhood obesity (@JLevinsonRD) Lessons I have Learned as a Mom Registered dietitian Alysa Bajenaru shares some of the lessons she has learned that have helped her develop a good understanding of what it takes to feed her kids (@InspiredRD) Looking for a New Trend in Childhood Obesity? Registered dietitian Elizabeth Rahavi of the IFIC brings the focus back on family in the debate about childhood obesity (@FoodInsight) Losing Weight: It Starts in Your Head Registered dietitian Cindy Williams reminds us of the power of attitude and mindset in losing weight and controlling obesity (@nutritionchic) Making the Grade Registered dietitian Sally Kuzemchak evaluates her son's school programs on healthy eating and physical activity (@RMNutrition) Obesity and GERD: A Family Affair Jan Gambino, author of Reflux 101, writes about the link between overweight and GERD Parents, Let's Take a Positive Approach to Childhood Obesity Registered dietitian Ashley Rosales from the Dairy Council of California encourages parents to take a positive approach in helping their kids build healthy habits Revolutionize the Way Your Kids Eat in Five Easy Steps Sociologist Dr Dina Rose suggests we shift our focus from nutrition to eating habits if we are serious about solving childhood obesity (@DrDrRose) Surprising Easy Solution for Preventing Childhood Obesity Research shows benefits of extended breastfeeding in reducing risk of childhood obesity (@TwinToddlersDad) The Problem Behind Childhood Obesity Ken Whitman, Publisher of Organic Connections, points out that our national priorities concerning childhood obesity are misplaced and calls for a renewed focus on the health of our nations kids. Yoga Gets Kids Moving Registered dietitian Danielle Omar has an interesting suggestion for solving childhood obesity - get your kids into yoga! (@2eatwellRD)
Reader Comments (5)
I agree. Kids are bombarded with way too many "kid" foods that are loaded with artificial coloring and flavoring, added sugar, and other junk. I've also noticed that the more upscale brands are jumping on board and making their own versions of fruit roll-ups, cheese crackers, etc. that SEEM healthier--but while they may be made with organic flour and have fewer artificial colors, they're still high in added sugar, sodium, etc.
I agree with Sally, just because the label says organic doesn't make it healthy! I also agree with you about planting a garden. My son loved to eat fresh vegetables from our garden, but won't necessarily eat the same veggies from the store.
You are correct in pointing out that our food culture has changed tremendously in the last 50 years. On one hand, we seem to have made a lot of progress. But when it comes to the health of our children, we seem to have fallen behind. Your suggestions are very useful and offer a chance to busy parents to begin taking control of the situation.
as a parent we should guide our children to healthy foods and nonetheless we should train them to eat practice balance diet.
Kids are bombarded with way too many "kid" foods that are loaded with artificial coloring and flavoring, added sugar, and other junk. Very good post and thank you very much for sharing!