Doug Downey, an Ohio State University sociologist who co-authored a study in 5 and 6 year olds was printed in the April issue of the American Journal of Public Health. This study showed that these children gained more weight during summer break than during school. These children’s BMI’s increased twice as much during the summer as compared to during the school year. He mentioned that summer allows for time to play video games, watch television, relax and time to eat more snacks.
He also said that schools should continue their efforts in promoting health such as “Trying to improve the quality of school lunches, getting the soda machines out of schools — those are still good approaches. But clearly the source of children’s obesity problems lie outside of the school,” Downey said. He alluded to parents needing to do their part. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17384261/
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10
We all need to do our part. It is everybody’s responsibility. My business partner and I have our tag line that says “We believe if government, communities, schools and family work together, we can make a difference.” It all matters. It matters what is in their lunch box, what they buy for lunch, what their snacks are whether provided by team moms, teachers, on play dates or by their parents. What message are we sending our kids with the types of snacks they are given almost everywhere they go and after every “event” they have? With summer quickly approaching, how can you turn bad habits into good ones, make better habits out of good ones, and keep the better ones you are trying to make?
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
When you are running out the door to go anywhere, pack a small cooler. It doesn’t take that long and once you do it a couple of times it takes no time at all. The key is to get you out of the habit of serving not so healthy snacks or stopping for fast food when you have hungry kids and two more errands to run. What should you pack? Any or all of the following:
Water (always)
Fruit
Cheese
Goldfish crackers (reasonable choice with no high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), no hydrogenated oils or food coloring)
Cut up vegetables celery, carrots, bell pepper
Nuts
Real granola bars (some of the Nature Valley crunchy granola bars are pretty good like the green package oats ‘n honey and the peanut butter flavored ones. I like the Kashi bars as well…but kids…maybe…try it. Choose those with whole grain oats as the leading ingredient and NO HFCS.)
Yogurt (bring a spoon and try and buy yogurt without food coloring or HFCS (Dannon All Natural is a brand that fits this description and will probably “work” for a child who is used to eating the REALLY sweetened yogurt)
Ice pack (always)
An apple is as easy to grab as an individual package of cookies/chips/crackers. We probably all have some type of snack with us always just because we have kids and kids get hungry. Notice the snacks you are giving your kids. Make them whole foods. Healthy habits become steadfast by repetition. When you do things often enough it becomes easy and natural. I pack a small cooler in two minutes. I grab an ice pack, water, a couple of apples or bananas and sometimes peanut butter and a couple of spoons and we are out the door! You will give yourself peace when your child says, “Mom I am hungry, can we stop at McDonalds?” Now you can say, “Not today. If you are hungry I have_______ in the cooler.”
Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
At home your children will eat what you have available. Food availability has been studied and studied and studied. The results are always the same. If you have fresh fruits and vegetables available, washed and ready to eat and you offer it to your child, fruit and vegetable consumption goes up. Yes, you even have to offer it. What you need to do:
Find time to cut up and/or wash fruits and vegetables to have available to eat
Place them in your children’s reach
Let them know they are there so when they become an age where they are helping themselves they are in a habit of going to the right snack
Offer it to your children for snacks and at meals
So when your child is playing video games and watching television during the summer months, keep these good habits and change your mindset of what a snack is. Go whole foods which are fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. We’ll talk about television time next time!
