On Tuesday Jan. 31 in his column, Nicholas Kristoff pointed to a Gerber study that shows that french fries are the "vegetable" American infants and toddlers eat most! One-third of young children don't eat any vegetable daily and 20% of kids 19-24 mo. eat french fries every day. He also reminds us of the outrageous fact that babies born in the U.S. are less likely to survive their first year than babies born in Slovenia.
I am not blaming it all on McDonald's, I eat there from time to time along with IHOP, Burger King, Waffle House you name it. Moderation is the key.
No need to blame yourself - if this study by Gerber describes your child's diet, just resolve to do better! Our lives have become increasing complicated, we work longer for less money, and have less family support because our relatives are spread out all over the country.
To say that child care is too expensive and inflexible is a major understatement. I watch my dad and many parents who love their kids and want the best for them order Pizza and get fast food more than they should because there just aren't enough hours in the day.
One suggestion, cook in bulk over the weekend, it takes the same time to make more helpings of the same dish, freeze it and take it out in the morning and then pop it in at night. In college, trying to avoid the freshman 15 and manage time between activities, my studies and sports I did this and do it still. In terms of snacks there are fun ways to make veggies and fruit appealing--dips are always good and yogurts are great for on the go.
We talk about keeping our kids off drugs (a very important topic which will be discussed in future blogs and guest bloggers will join in, but remember obesity kills more Americans than Heroin does!) Good habits must start in youth!
How about those who say well I do my best at home, but they eat garbage at school what can I do?
Kristoff echoes a call to action I have mentioned on TV in the past. We should ban soda, potato chips, and other junk food in our schools. Make your concerns known to your school and if I hear from you that this concerns you as much is does me I will make it my business to discuss this issue even more than I already do.
Comments (3)
Scan any chow hall at any military base and you'll see it's pretty good fare. I know my military friends may argue that point, but compared to some public schools, it's pretty healthy and taking care of our citizen soldiers.
So why can't we expect the same from our schools?
Nutrition shouldn't end at the school house door. While parents are protecting their children from the dangers of Salinger, Whitman, and Twain in the library, they're letting the real danger slip into the cafeteria.
I'm contacting Parents Action for Children -- you don't have to be in a war-zone to save a life. Please join me in protecting our youngest citizens by contacting them and posting your thoughts; consider it a challenge.
DNCO Bks #769
Naval Support Activity
Algiers, LA
Posted by: Sgt Duran on April 7, 2006 02:50
It took me not more than 30 seconds to send a letter to our leaders and fwd the link to 5 other people. I may not have ended the problem, but it is a start.
"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, slowly changing the world!"
-- Anne Frank
Posted by: Joe on April 8, 2006 11:25
What an inspiring article you wrote about nutrition! In the near future, I hope to form a community activist group promoting health awareness. Many health issues concern me, yet the over-use of trans-fats and the minimal
nutrition value in school lunches bother me most. At your convenience, I would greatly appreciate any ideas or input you
have regarding this goal. Thank you so much for your time as well as your efforts in promoting health awareness. You really
make a difference.
Sincerely,
Nathan Dorfman, age 15
Philadelphia, PA
Posted by: Nate on June 18, 2006 16:47