Have you gone to a restaurant lately with your child and seen the choices on the "Kids Menu"? Is it any wonder that we have an epidemic of childhood obesity? Here it is: Chicken Fingers, Mac and Cheese, Hot Dog, Burger w/Fries, and if the kid is really lucky, maybe Pasta with Sauce. Thats it! Now, to be fair there are some restaurants that offer additional choices like, grapes, mixed fruit and even the occaisional mixed veggie, but for the most part, the kids choices are junk first with the semi-healthy choices as an after thought.
My point is, eating right as an adult begins with eating right as a child, and since we parents must make the choices for our kids we need to help them to learn what the good choices are right from the start, be firm with their finicky protests and make healthy food the fun choice.
I'd love to see a kids menu with grilled chicken cut into animal shapes, fresh veggies cut to eat with fingers and low fat cheese... whole wheat bread and pasta perhaps? Fruit for dessert. Good food can be fun too, how about having that message on the coloring menu they get with the crayons...
submitted by Joy Solliday, Owner FOODFIT Ultimate Weight Management, Ocean Twp. www.myfoodfit.com
