How to Help your Children Eat Right

Here are some ideas to help your children eat right ... Educate and Exercise your Kids when it comes to “non” food selections in their diet. (A book review)

I recently read “Please Mum Don't Supersize Me”, by Richard and Joey Marc, (Rockpool Publishing, 2008), which fits right in with my blog philosophy. I highly recommend this book for parents with young children. It is most sobering and thought-provoking.

Children Weigh More

The book explains why our children today have joined the so-called “World Wide Obesity Movement".   ‟First, we look at the problem that is not just affecting  the Western world but over 155 million overweight children and 22 million infants under five years throughout the world."  (Pg. 4).  Obesity is a worldwide phenomenon.

Basically, “Fast food has huge calories and sugar and few nutrients” and (children) lack daily exercise (due to over indulgence in fast food, obsession with technology and TV, advertising brainwashing and plain lack of time.)” (Pg. 17)

Sugar is a Big Problem

It should be emphasized a major problem is that sugar is in so much of our processed food (Page 81), .... including seemingly healthy choices, such as baked beans, fruit juices, salad dressings, apple pies, some cereals and flavoured yoghurt (not “plain” yoghurt).  Also due to the high consumption of sugar in items such as soft drinks and fruit juice (page 23) not only are our children becoming obese, but they are dealing with health problems such as Diabetes II, Asthma and high cholesterol at a very young age.  On Page 38 is the stunning quote:

“Experts are predicting children with obesity or overweight problems will not live as long, their lives being cut short by as much as 20 years.” (Pg 38).

In addition, advertising has a huge impact on our young children from infancy as they cannot distinguish good from bad at a very young age but trust what they see. TV advertising plays a big part in your child's choices.

This book has some very good information on health, weight, exercise and diet with excellent tips on food sizes, dieting and meal schedules for kids and other great ideas. For those with allergies and food intolerances the “Dining Out” section (pg 94) will be a great help.

What you are, the Lifestyle you live,
your children have a good chance of becoming.

Notes

•  Weight loss and general improved health over the past 10 months.
• When dining out remember to always mention to the server if you have food intolerances or allergies, etc. to additives
• This book is geared to kids – and recommended

References & Links

• An interesting article on the effects of advertising on children Australia, June of 2011
• Also see article on MacDonald's
• Comprehensive information on Nutrition
• The RDA for carbohydrate is 130 grams per day for adults with added sugar 25%  of total daily calories consumed