Can't think of a good title-maybe..All Fired up?!
posted by Patty James @ 11:17am, Tuesday 4 May 2010.
So I was in another grocery store this morning. I learn a lot in grocery stores. I was there for a T.V. interview that was in the produce section here in south Philadelphia. The reporter asked me lots of questions about Shine The Light as well as basic nutrition and my book, More Vegetables, Please. It went well and airs the end of May. My 5 minute interview will most likely end up being 90 seconds. It's always interesting to see how they edit. The newspaper interview I did yesterday didn't sound too much like me-I try not to be preachy, and it sounded a little preachy on paper instead of enthusiastic.
The thing is that right now I am a bit fired up and well, frustrated.
Every single 20-something year old checker in that store was morbidly obese-everyone of them...I bought some groceries and the woman who checked out my food, looked at my plain yogurt like it was really weird. She held it in her hands and looked at it funny-really. Here's what I bought and what is in my frig in my hotel room...
Now anyone who knows me at all well, knows I eat yam fries, an occasional hamburger and love fish and chips with a nice bottle of Guinness beer. I could go on and on, but you understand...I don't worry about it and I don't apologize for those occasional choices. But...everyday life includes the above healthier choices, with enough water and exercise thrown in. I am a moderate in the food and drink department.
It is becoming very apparent that the above kinds of food (the fish and chips kind) are everyday foods for many if not most people. The kind of foods in my frig-veggies, fruit, etc. are the rarity. We are backwards in our choices and need to understand the health consequences of our choices. As parents, our childrens' health is our responsibility. When a child 'refuses' to eat vegetables-any vegetables-do we allow that to happen? Granted if we have started them on a healthy path as babies, it is much easier to continue on the path vs. choosing a healthier path after their tastes buds want the sugary, fatty, salty stuff. But if we didn't and need to change their eating patterns, do we let them run the show? Do we keep buying the junk so as to avoid their meltdowns? Do we assume they'll get it somewhere anyway and give in? This is a touchy subject for many parents as they get defensive. Nobody (!) likes being preached to, so it's all about how we bring forth the information to the parents and helping parents reteach (is there such a word as reteach?) their kids and families-if not just themselves.
We are all battling marketing from big business. We think that NutriGrain bars are good for our kids and that multiple yogurts are healthy (have you ever looked at the sugar content of some fruit flavored yogurts?) It's not the parents fault-they are brainwashed by big business and are simply misinformed.
All these very tricky aspects of health will have to be given due consideration when planning future programs for kids and their adults.
I was asked to write an article about different colored veggies, so I will begin that after another walk.
Comments
As you well know, our children's diets are one of the biggest problems in this country. Even the cooking shows on TV feature the Paula Deans of this world who throw nutrition right out the window in favor of artery clogging high calorie choices. We've talked about this before. It just has to start with parents and what you eat. I have never seen a young child starve themselves to death. If the whole family favors nutritional choices and that is what is in the refrigerator, then that is what you eat. I see some parents catering so much to their children that they make different meals for each child. Yikes! I know that it is more difficult and time consuming because the ready to eat snack market is very large and visable, but there really are alternatives. Sorry, I just jumped onto my soap box but I just hate to see all these overweight, unhealthy children. Nancy
nlazark - 7:09am, Wednesday 5 May 2010.
This topic is a real hot button for me. I am appalled on a daily basis at the number of overweight and obese adults and kids I see when I'm out and about. It seems to be the norm. It saddens and angers me. It saddens me when I read that this current generation of children is predicted to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. My feelings have nothing to do with body images - it is a HEALTH issue. Don't these people realize the health problems they are creating for themselves and their children - diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, joint pain, etc. Just to be clear - a pill to mitigate the problem is NOT the answer.
Before I had children I read that if you put 3 healthy meals in front of your children and don't cater to their likes and dislikes they will become healthy eaters and will not starve. I followed that advice and much to my children's' displeasure at times I did not cave in. I prepared diverse healthy meals and they could take it or leave it but there we no snacks after a meal. To this day, I do not recall who does not like what. I'm pleased to report they are all healthy eaters, enjoying a diverse diet and do not have weight issues.
I also taught them to cook at a young age and by the age of 10 each child was responsible for planning the menu, preparing and cleaning up one dinner a week. They could cook what ever they wanted. The only requirement was that it had to be a healthy balanced meal. It was a good opportunity for them to learn about nutrition and express their creativity. Today they all love to cook (even my sons) and when we gather preparing a delicious healthy meal together is a wonderful experience.
In my humble opinion, parents need to take charge of their children's food choices. It is their responsibility and not doing so is being negligent. Some people may feel that statement is a bit over the top - but think about it. Responsible parents don't allow their children to stay home from school because they don't feel like going. They don't not take their children to the dentist because the child doesn't like the dentist. Why is feeding our children responsibly any different? For the health of our children it shouldn't be.
Victoria Perrault - 7:13am, Wednesday 5 May 2010.
Well put Nancy and Victoria! I like it when you two are all fired up as well! You both make excellent observations.
I was speaking with Olivia last night (my daughter and the mother of Brealyn who will be 2 in September) and she said that when her friends get together, the little ones eat cherry tomatoes and carrot sticks. All these Mom's are doing a great job with their kid's diets. Part of it is that that is how they were raised (yeah for us!) because that is how we were raised (yeah for our parents!) The other part of it I have to say is where we live. We have fresh food almost the whole year and we in northern California are in the hub of the foodie movement, so education and exposure does make a difference. This brings us to when we develop programs we must with a capital M figure out a way to get healthy food to families all over the country. I have lots of ideas about this....more on that later...
Thanks for your comments, keep them coming in!
Patty James - 2:48pm, Wednesday 5 May 2010.
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