At a recent forum on childhood obesity, one family doctor painted a frightening picture. As the years pass, more and more of his younger patients are morbidly overweight. These same patients are developing grown up illnesses like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure at 8 and 9 years old. If poor eating habits continue for them over the next twenty years, we could start seeing heart attacks and strokes in adults as young as 28 and 29. IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS ADULTS TO DO SOMETHING OR WE MAY LIVE LONGER THAN OUR CHILDREN!
WHAT ARE POOR EATING HABITS?
- Eating lots of sugary foods or carbs that quickly turn into sugar in our bodies. (examples: white rice and white bread)
- Eating too much meat (equals high cholesterol).
- Drinking excess calories — one 12-ounce soda, juice drink or even 100% fruit juice can have over 200 calories!
- Eating lots of salty foods.
- Little or no exercise.
- Little or no healthy role models.
- Skipping meals, especially breakfast.
6 TIPS TO HELP YOUR
KIDS BE HEALTHIER
#1: Set an example!
No matter how many healthy options you put in front of your children, they will only copy the ones they see you enjoying.
#2: Get moving as a family!
Take a walk around the neighborhood or go to the park as a family — mom and dad might shed some pounds too!
#3: Grow your own garden or volunteer in a garden!
We all know kids like getting dirty, let them do it by learning how vegetables grow. You can get plants started in old baskets or buckets on the back porch and save money at the store.
#4: Create smart shoppers!
Come up with a healthy shopping list together and send them on scavenger hunts to find the items on your list.
#5: Be positive!
Criticizing an overweight child can damage their self-esteem long after the weight is gone. Let them know your concern is about their health. Be your child’s biggest cheerleader!
A Healhty Soda Substitute - GRAPE FIZZ
- 1/3 cup grape juice, cold
- 2/3 cup seltzer water, cold
Mix chilled ingredients in a cup and enjoy.
OR
Mix and freeze in ice cube trays. Use to flavor water on hot days!
Fruit Pancakes
- Cooking spray
- 2 cups pancake mix
- 1 cup water
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed*
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Coat cold pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl mix the remaining ingredients until smooth. Place pan over medium heat. When hot, add about 1/4 cup of pancake mix. Turn when bubbles form and pancake is firm.
*Variations: Use a cup of chopped apples, applesauce, blueberries or mashed sweet potatoes instead of bananas.
Want to learn more about the risks of childhood obesity?
FIND OUT WHAT NBA STAR SHAQUILLE O’NEAL IS DOING TO HELP
shaq’s big challenge
Tuesday nights on abc
On This reality show, shaq and a team of experts work with 6 kids to get them healthier.
You can also go to shaq’s website where you’ll find cool information like…
- A Family report card to figure out if your child needs to lose weight
- Tools to start your own fitness challenge
- Workout tips
- Healthy snack ideas
- Online family weight-loss plan
- And much more!
What is a “Food of the Month”
Our “Food of the Month” is a product available in our Lowcountry
Food Bank's warehouses. It is one that meets our criteria of a healthy
food.
What is a LCFB's “Healthy Food”?
Healthy foods are fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat and
poultry, low-fat dairy products, whole grains and foods that do not
contain excessive amounts of fat or caloric sweeteners.
How are our recipes designed?
Our recipes are designed with the clients of our agencies in mind:
those who are hungry and poor.
The recipes:
- Use ingredients common in Lowcountry kitchens.
- Are tasty and easy to prepare.
- Meet our criteria for a healthy food.
- Limit high priced herbs and spices which may included as optional
ingredients.
We’d Like to Hear from You
We encourage your comments. They will help us understand concerns and
interests of those who use “Eat Well; Be Well”. Please contact Germaine Hall Jenkins, Nutrition Coordinator at the Lowcountry Food Bank, (843) 747-8146 ext.. 113 or ghall@lcfbank.org.
Sources: www.mypyramid.gov, www.cahe.nmsu.edu, www.foodsthatkeep.com.
Check out www.allrecipes.com! This site allows you to find other healthy recipes for our food of the month and even customizes a recipe when you change the number of servings.
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