My children are involved in team sports for most of the year. Every Saturday after each game a parent is responsible for bringing a snack. Last week a parent brought iced donuts, individually packaged Rice Krispie Treats, and red Gatorade for each team member. Not to mention it was 11 a.m. and my opportunity to provide my kids with a healthy lunch was just sabotaged. In general, I have no problem with treats. I do have a problem that treats are the norm instead of the exception. Junk food as the norm is not moderation. Most of us are aware that childhood obesity is an issue, and that diet plays a huge role in the overall health of ourselves and our children. The debate on food coloring Red 40 has been ongoing since I was a child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently acknowledged (2008) that food coloring and preservative sodium benzoate contribute to the hyperactivity in children (ADHD) and that diet is a good intervention. That took 30 years to “prove” what many believed to be true already. Now we “know”, and a parent gives my kiddos a red colored sports drink, and snacks full of fat and sugar. We also know that being too controlling can lead our children to wanting the foods they are not supposed to have; so, I say nothing (not totallytrue) and let my kids enjoy (some of it). It is hard to win. Events like our children’s team sports, play dates, and dinner on the go were not every weekend and/or most days when I was a child, and the junk provided on these numerous occasions was not part of life like it is now. You get the picture and you know the story. We could all write another book about reasons our children are not healthy and blame, blame, blame.
What if I suggest it should be the sole responsibility of the parent? Since many of us are parents, including educators, government workers, and many others, together we could make a difference.
For nothing will be impossible for God.Luke 1:37
What kind of snacks should we offer our children? Having fresh fruits and vegetables cut up and available, real cheese, pistachios or other nuts, and water to drink are all examples of good choices and whole foods most kids would like. With grocery store shelves lined with pre-packaged “foods” that are not nutritious foods, some of our kids think the word snack means an individually wrapped package of cookies or crackers. I am all for treats in moderation. My family probably has a little something sweet everyday, and with kids, it’s OK to use the rule of 1 per day. A child that starts his day with kid cereal, has cookies and chocolate milk as part of his lunch, and another sweetened beverage and chips for an after school snack is hardly moderation. I even believe that moderation in moderation is OK sometimes. Like enjoying cake and ice cream at a birthday party, and maybe even a little extra cake…well… to celebrate of course! Moderation means eating healthy most of the time. Then at those special celebrations it is time to celebrate! Practicing moderation is a healthy habit.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians6:19-20.
A parent leading by example is the best example because children emulate what you do. Look at how well they learn to play “talk on the telephone” by age 2. Many of us know what we should be eating but we are not doing it. Over ½ of adult consumers know they need to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday, but more than 90% of Americans do not eat the recommended amount.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me Philippians 4:13.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reports that over 1/3 of American Adults are overweight or obese and the prevalence of overweight among children ages 6-11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004, 13.9% for children ages 2-5, and 17.4% for children ages 12-19. In a sampling of children ages 5-17 that are overweight, 60% of them already have one cardiovascular risk, not to mention their risk of type 2 diabetes. This overweight thing is not OK. We need to take better care of ourselves.
Moderation means eating healthy foods most of the time, in the right portion sizes and using nutrient density as a goal. It is easier than it sounds. All you have to do is decide to take the first step, and be mindful of what you are eating. Wake up in the morning, believe you are healthy, walk into the kitchen upright, tall and strong, and start practicing moderation with your first cup of coffee. For example have one cup and no more than two. Have 1 cup of whole grain cereal (measure and look at it so you know what 1 cup looks like) sweetened only with fruit and pour skim milk. Do the same for your child. You are on the road today of moderation and healthy eating.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day (go for a variety of colors and it is true the deeper the color, the better the nutrients), choose whole grains, lean proteins, nonfat or at least low fat dairy, and try for essential fatty acids found in nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and avocados, and in the right oils such as olive oil and canola oil. We all need some oils for good health but use sparingly as they are still fats. Offer your children fruits and vegetables for snacks. We all have our favorite foods and we should be able to enjoy them occasionally. Celebrate when it is time to celebrate. When your kids eat healthy most of the time, you can say yes to that one scoop of ice cream they are so happy to have!
