Childhood food rant
I just read an article in the Chicago Tribune about how schools are trying to make parties more healthy food-wise for the children as a part of the push toward making schools be more healthy. Although I applaud the effort and think it is critical to teach children how to make healthy choices and then to provide those healthy choices in schools, I have issues with this one thing.
I think it's really great that they're taking soda machines out of elementary schools (if you ask me, they have no place in middle or high schools either), stocking snack machines with healthy snacks, working on serving healthier meals in the cafeteria, teaching students more about nutrition and bringing physical education back. In my opinion, this is what we need to do in order to make sure our children remain healthy--build a culture of healthy eating and exercise.
However, I also think kids need to learn the meaning of the word moderation and to understand that there are times when it's okay to have a cupcake, or a piece of cake or a cookie.
When I first left home, a home where sodas were not really bought and healthy food was the norm, I recall how I went over the edge in the opposite direction, because suddenly I could make my own choices. Sure I still ate veggies and fruit, but I also started drinking a LOT Of soda, and ate some junk that wasn't as good for me because I never got it at home. Or at least, I never really learned that moderation thing when it came to that.
So, I say, yes, school parties need to focus more on activities and less on food. Yes, the majority of the food at the party should be healthy--fruit, veggies, baked chips, low fat stuff (all of course nut free). However, parties are special occasions. They don't happen every day. They are meant to celebrate. One cupcake, or one piece of cake, or one piece of candy, or one cookie (or two if they're small) is a great way to teach kids that they can have treats, but treats are for special occasions, and one serving is enough.
Sesame Street changed Cookie Monster's message when the childhood obesity thing became a big deal. Cookie Monster is now learning that although cookies are great, they're a "sometimes food," not an "always food." I think this is a great message to send to kids--that they can have yummy treats like that, but not all the time.
Otherwise, we will build a generation of children who may avoid childhood obesity, but rebound drastically once they are adults.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
I think it's really great that they're taking soda machines out of elementary schools (if you ask me, they have no place in middle or high schools either), stocking snack machines with healthy snacks, working on serving healthier meals in the cafeteria, teaching students more about nutrition and bringing physical education back. In my opinion, this is what we need to do in order to make sure our children remain healthy--build a culture of healthy eating and exercise.
However, I also think kids need to learn the meaning of the word moderation and to understand that there are times when it's okay to have a cupcake, or a piece of cake or a cookie.
When I first left home, a home where sodas were not really bought and healthy food was the norm, I recall how I went over the edge in the opposite direction, because suddenly I could make my own choices. Sure I still ate veggies and fruit, but I also started drinking a LOT Of soda, and ate some junk that wasn't as good for me because I never got it at home. Or at least, I never really learned that moderation thing when it came to that.
So, I say, yes, school parties need to focus more on activities and less on food. Yes, the majority of the food at the party should be healthy--fruit, veggies, baked chips, low fat stuff (all of course nut free). However, parties are special occasions. They don't happen every day. They are meant to celebrate. One cupcake, or one piece of cake, or one piece of candy, or one cookie (or two if they're small) is a great way to teach kids that they can have treats, but treats are for special occasions, and one serving is enough.
Sesame Street changed Cookie Monster's message when the childhood obesity thing became a big deal. Cookie Monster is now learning that although cookies are great, they're a "sometimes food," not an "always food." I think this is a great message to send to kids--that they can have yummy treats like that, but not all the time.
Otherwise, we will build a generation of children who may avoid childhood obesity, but rebound drastically once they are adults.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?