March 02, 2006

Fast food - we can do better

On Tuesday Jan. 31 in his column, Nicholas Kristoff pointed to a Gerber study that shows that french fries are the "vegetable" American infants and toddlers eat most! One-third of young children don't eat any vegetable daily and 20% of kids 19-24 mo. eat french fries every day. He also reminds us of the outrageous fact that babies born in the U.S. are less likely to survive their first year than babies born in Slovenia.

I am not blaming it all on McDonald's, I eat there from time to time along with IHOP, Burger King, Waffle House you name it. Moderation is the key.

No need to blame yourself - if this study by Gerber describes your child's diet, just resolve to do better! Our lives have become increasing complicated, we work longer for less money, and have less family support because our relatives are spread out all over the country.

To say that child care is too expensive and inflexible is a major understatement. I watch my dad and many parents who love their kids and want the best for them order Pizza and get fast food more than they should because there just aren't enough hours in the day.

One suggestion, cook in bulk over the weekend, it takes the same time to make more helpings of the same dish, freeze it and take it out in the morning and then pop it in at night. In college, trying to avoid the freshman 15 and manage time between activities, my studies and sports I did this and do it still. In terms of snacks there are fun ways to make veggies and fruit appealing--dips are always good and yogurts are great for on the go.

We talk about keeping our kids off drugs (a very important topic which will be discussed in future blogs and guest bloggers will join in, but remember obesity kills more Americans than Heroin does!) Good habits must start in youth!

How about those who say well I do my best at home, but they eat garbage at school what can I do?

Kristoff echoes a call to action I have mentioned on TV in the past. We should ban soda, potato chips, and other junk food in our schools. Make your concerns known to your school and if I hear from you that this concerns you as much is does me I will make it my business to discuss this issue even more than I already do.

  • Read Kimberly Garrison's 3/30 column on America's obesity problem.

  • Parents Action for Children is currently engaged in a campaign to get junk food out of schools. Check it out and take action.



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