06/25/2013 // Concord, CA , USA // LifeCare123 // Eva Hvingelby // (press release)

AVOID MARKETING TRAPS

As you walk into your grocery store remind yourself that marketing agencies have spent a great deal of time and money to make products enticing. Some health related labeling is misleading. For example, you may assume that labels boasting “All Natural” are healthier, but saturated fats and sugar fit the FDA’s definition of natural. “Fat Free” is stamped on a variety of foods that are instead loaded with carbohydrate based calories that have little nutritional value.

Nutrition can be complex; a good starting point for you and your child is to always read the number of calories in a serving, and the size of that serving.

Try this experiment the next time you’re shopping. Read the nutrition labels on a variety of cereal boxes. You will see the calories per serving are similar, but the serving sizes range from ¼ cup to 1 cup. Depending on which cereal you buy, if there are 100 calories per serving, your child may consume between 100 and 400 calories when they eat a cup of cereal!

ARE YOU A GOOD ROLE MODEL?

Numerous research studies show that what parents eat directly affects children’s choices. Adult males in the home who snack on fruit increase the likelihood that children will eat fruit. This effect is also seen when female role models make healthy choices. Interviews with children and adolescents show us they trust the food their parents provide is good for them, including chips, cookies and soda. Take a look at your pantry. Is it sending the right message?

TEACH THE MEANING OF HEALTHY MEALS

When researchers talked to tweens and high school students they found many had a hard time identifying healthy foods other than fruits and vegetables. Items such as yogurt, fish, and beans were hardly mentioned. Kids need to learn how a variety of ingredients create a nutritious meal. Cook with your children. Talk about the ingredients and why they are healthy, so kids know all the components that go into a balanced dinner. Explore the USDA’s website: choosemyplate.gov. It includes the newest dietary recommendations, and a variety of fun and interactive activities including recipes for every meal.

Making informed choices at the grocery store, being a role model, and involving your whole family in creating nutritious and balanced meals are three simple steps you can take today, to lead your child to a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

Llorente, J. (2011). The Politics of Food: Did You Really Choose What’s on Your Plate? Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, (3) 129-136.

Nixon, C. and Gibson, E. (2012). Evidence-based recommendations for the development of obesity prevention programs targeted at preschool children. Obesity Reviews (1) 120-132

Spruijt-Metz, D. (2010). Etiology, treatment, and prevention of obesity in childhood and adolescence: a decade in review. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(1), 129 – 152

Zuercher, J., Wagstaff, D. & Kranz, S. (2011). Associations of food group and nutrient intake, diet quality, and meal sizes between adults and children in the same household: a cross-sectional analysis of U.S. households. Nutrition Journal . 10, 131-143

USDA (2013) Sample menus and recipes. Retrieved from: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/sample-menus-recipes.html

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