Nourishments—

The Battle Over Your Child’s Food Belongs At Home

By Nancy K. Crevier

One of the joys of being a parent is nourishing your child to the best of your abilities. From the time they are babies, it is our job to provide them with the foods they need to grow and function, and to teach them the pleasures of food and eating.

What we choose to feed our children is up to us, and when we are bombarded by advertising and conflicting information, it is sometimes difficult to make good decisions. However, as parents, it is our responsibility to learn about nutrition and to pass that knowledge on to our children.

Approximately 16 percent of American children ages 6-19 are overweight, according to results from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a 45 percent increase from information obtained in 1988-94. Of those children, many fall into the obese category, when body mass index exceeds the 95th percentile for age and gender. This is a serious health problem.

But is it necessary for the government to intervene? In schools across the nation, including Connecticut, sweetened and carbonated beverages and various “junk food” snack items are being pulled from vending machines and food service by legislation aimed at defeating childhood obesity.

It is a good idea, as food choices high in fats and sugars are a part of the increase in problems with childhood obesity. It isn’t necessary to provide these kinds of foods to children. Children, however, do not spend the bulk of their school day with access to snack machines.

Childhood obesity is a family problem or a health problem, and should be dealt with at home. The burden of reducing an overweight child’s weight should not lie with the school system.

If we, as parents, make better choices, our children will benefit; and these health choices are often so simple. Wise food choices in the home and parental responsibility can combat childhood obesity.

It is a rare place in America where fresh fruits and vegetables are not easily available, or at least their frozen counterparts. Increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables you serve your family, and teach them portion control.

Choose whole grains over processed foods. Check the label that whole grains are listed in the ingredients first. Every supermarket today carries some form of whole grain pasta and bread, as well as many cereals. If your family seems opposed to the unfamiliar whole grain foods, start out by mixing pastas and other grains half and half.

Say No to highly sweetened, processed cereals, and mean it.

If desserts are the bane of your existence, don’t buy them and don’t bake them. Keep them out of the house, except for special occasions. Substitute fruit yogurts for artificially flavored and sweetened puddings, and keep fresh and dried fruit on hand for snacking. It does take adjustment, but if your child’s health is at stake, isn’t it worth working toward?

The same goes for chips and crackers. Keep them for parties, or at the very least, portion control them. It is so easy to eat a big bag of chips, especially if the TV or video games are on! A child is more apt to quit eating when the bag is empty, so if the snacks are in individual portions, that much less will be consumed.

Set an example for your children, too, by increasing the amount of time you spend actively. Use the stairs instead of an escalator at the mall. Turn off the television and go for a walk. Ask them to help you weed the garden – it doesn’t always get a positive response, but if you insist and are there to instill a sense of helping each other, it can turn into positive time spent with your child.

Encourage your children to take advantage of nice weather to play ball, explore your yard or climb a tree. Skip rope with your kids — it’s fun, and it is impossible to not smile while you do so.

When the “law” comes from the homefront, maybe the government will no longer feel the need to impose their laws on our personal lives. By empowering your children with the ability to make wise choices, not only will you win the battle of the bulge, you will teach them the pride of self-responsibility.

Fruit Smoothie

(Adding a squeeze of lemon juice will prevent the bananas and fruit juices from darkening if you make the smoothie ahead of time.)

1 C natural fruit juice (orange, cranberry, raspberry, apple)

1 C plain yogurt      

3 Tbs honey

1 small frozen banana, cut into chunks

1 C fresh or frozen fruit, such as raspberries, strawberries, or peaches

2 Tbs peanut butter, cashew or almond butter (optional: it really makes the drink a meal!)

Place juice, yogurt and honey into blender and pulse until just blended.

Add remaining ingredients and pulse about ten times. Puree for 1 minute.

Pour into a tall glass and kick back!