A Lesson for All
A child's development depends on family, social behaviors, and even the environment. We cultivate, teach, and nurture our young. Unfortunately, something has gone haywire because there is an estimated 34% of children nationwide that are overweight. Some schools are stepping in where mom left off...
Schools may adopt healthier drink choices by limiting the availability of high calorie, sugary drinks. Fewer carbonated soft drinks are laden with empty calories, have no nutritional benefits, and have a great potential to be stored as excess body fat. One can may add up to 15 extra pounds a year.
Colleges are joining the band wagon by hosting summer nutrition workshops, introducing healthier cafeteria options and offering interactive nutrition workshops through the school year to ward off the "freshmen fifteen."
Some states (including Arnold's California) have resolved to adopt healthier options through "Choice" (Citizens for Healthy Options in Children).
I believe in teaching healthy eating and personal responsibility to my children through having them prepare their own lunches. Yes, they like to "brown bag it." At the ages of 9 and 11 they started making their own lunches with the healthy options of whole wheat breads, low fat lunch meats and cheeses, fruits and vegetables, and milk. I do allow them to choose one school lunch each week, for fun.
Clearly there is a lot of work being done to help promote society to eat more nutritious, health promoting, foods. But, the ultimate responsibility is in the individuals to make educated choices. Adults need to lead by example, kids wills do as they see, if you eat responsibly-so will they.
Teach them well, for education is the key to success. By taking children to the grocery stores you can talk to them about what you are purchasing and why you are purchasing these items.
Colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Non-processed meats, poultry, and fish are excellent choices for protein and omega 3's. Dairy is a great source of calcium that may help reduce the incidence of broken bones due to sports injuries.
Shop the parameters of the store. This is where you will find the fresh whole foods that are closest to nature as intended for our bodies.
You are what you eat. If you eat like crap, you will feel like crap...and so will your kids.
Now where have I heard that "eat like crap, feel like crap" line before LOL!!!! I do the same thing and let my kids (ages 9 and 11) buy one lunch a week from school. My 11 year old who is now joining the middle school group, tells me that they can have pizza everyday if they wanted, that it's not considered a special treat now at middle school. How sad is that????? Pizza everyday, isn't that wonderful. I got so angry when I learned of this. I told him he can order once a week just like before and he was perfectly o.k. with that. I agree with you about teaching/leading by example. They now know in their gut (literally) what's a good choice and what's a splurge choice!!!! Fingers crossed that it continues!
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You are doing the right thing. You are wise by setting the example: "Monkey see, monkey do." You kids will be fine.
Pizza everyday as an option? They are damaging their students, grades will suffer from poor eating habits and they are contributing to insulin resistance for the children's futures. That will lead to weight gain and obesity.
They are idiots, clearly thinking in terms of instant gratification. The white dough (crust) acts like sugar and has NO nutritional value and is high fat. What is to drink? Gatorade? Then sit down for a History lesson? zzzzzzzzzzzz
Tell them to focus on their students' health, well-being, intellegence, and lasting energy. The kids will feel better, be happier (less depression-less bummed out sleepy, laziness), and have better grades because the brain actually functions better on quality nutrition that it was meant to have! Grrrr....
They need to read my blogs.
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