By Rebecca Ruiz
Back-to-school season is
an opportunity to teach your child about nutrition at school and at
home.
Among the menu items are
fresh watermelon, fresh carrots with low-fat ranch dixp, baked
chicken nuggets, chilled (frozen) strawberries, low-fat mashed
potatoes with non-fat gravy, and pizza with whole grain crust and
low-fat cheese. They even enjoy roasted, shredded pork sandwiches
with homemade whole grain rolls dressed in a low-sodium barbecue
sauce--perhaps no surprise for a district that resides in the
Kansas City metropolitan area.
8 Ways To Get Kids To Eat
Healthy
"We're educating them through the meals we provide,"
says Jane Hentzler, a registered dietitian and director of
nutrition services for the school district. The healthy fare, she
says, is designed to teach the schoolchildren about the proper
ratio of nutrients and how to create balanced meals with the best
ingredients available.
Hentzler's approach,
which also includes classroom lessons on nutrition, is part of a
nationwide trend that aims to increase access to minimally
processed fresh food at school. The alarming rate of childhood
obesity has prompted the reformative strategy at school districts
across the country; 12.4% of children ages 2 to 5 are overweight or
obese, as are 17% of children and teens between 6 and 19. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids who are
obese in their preschool years are more likely to be obese adults
and have higher chances of developing hypertension, asthma and
diabetes.
Yet, healthier school fare
is only one part of a successful equation. Arguably more important
is the role parents play in teaching their children about nutrition
and making healthier choices.
Educated Eating
A recent report produced by
the School Nutrition Association, a lobbying and membership
organization of 55,000 food-service directors, caterers and
manufacturers, found that more schools offer healthy options.
In a survey of 1,200
food-service directors, nearly 60% reported that they currently
provide or are considering offering local fruits and vegetables.
Since 2007, vegetarian options have increased by 12%, and low-fat
prepared and packaged foods have increased by 11.5%. More than 90%
of those surveyed said their schools provided whole grain items and
salad bars or pre-packaged salads.
Top Tips
--Respect Likes
and Dislikes
--Appeal to Their
Interests
--Talk About Nutrition
--Be Mindful of Hidden
Calories
The shift partly has to do
with changing student demand and local and state wellness
initiatives. This fall, Congress will also determine whether or not
to increase funding and institute national guidelines for the Child
Nutrition Act, which is renewed every five years and spends $12
billion annually to feed breakfast and lunch to 31 million
schoolchildren.
Cathy Schuchart, staff vice
president for the SNA's Child Nutrition and Policy Center, says
that more uniform guidelines will help food manufacturers, who
often try to accommodate different local and state regulations by
making several versions of the same product, become more efficient.
Extra cost-savings, says Schuchart, will allow providers to focus
on incorporating higher quality but more expensive items like fresh
fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Though kids who dine on
cafeteria food are most likely to enjoy milk, a sandwich and fruit
(in that order), they also frequently eat pizza and French fries.
Children who bring their lunch from home are most likely to pack a
sandwich, fruit and a salty snack. Cookies are popular in both
groups, but kids with home-packed lunches are also likely to bring
yogurt and crackers.
Model Behavior
The differences
between the groups demonstrate what is obvious: Mom and dad have
some sway when it comes to healthy eating. In fact, NPD's
research has also shown that children are most likely to receive
guidance on healthy eating from a female parent, followed by the
school and then from a male parent.
"Modeling is so
important," says Kerry Neville, a registered dietitian in
Kirkland, Wash., and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic
Association. "I see so many examples of parents saying one
thing and doing another." A diet-soda drinking parent who asks
a child to fill his or her glass with milk, for example, will meet
resistance.
Neville also recommends
that parents stock the house with healthy choices and make them
visible, which may seem intuitive but is an often overlooked step.
While making dinner for her 9-year-old son, Neville places carrots
and dip and a fruit basket on the counter to steer him toward
nutritious snacks.
Instead of aiming for
perfection, Neville tries for consistency so that her son is
regularly exposed to healthy options.
"It really is
tough," she says. "The best you can do is to make sure
they eat healthy when they are under your control."
8 Ways To Get Kids To Eat
Healthy
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