Are you overweight? are your children overweight? Do you feel lost and confused and need help? You are not alone. This problem is here and it is not going to vanish.

I just look in the mirror and the truth hits me square between the eyes.

 I just recently listened to a women speaking about obesity in our children. She made me think back to my childhood and the way I raised my two children.

Today food choices and nutritional value are very different from when I was in charge of the food consumption of my children.

Today food is loaded with chemicals and when we eat this food where is the nutritional value?

Vitamins supplements are walking out the doors of the stores that sell them. It is now a multi-billion dollar business. I know for myself I would try to heal myself of whatever ailment I have naturally than take a prescription or over the counter drug.

What does this have to do with our children and their food choices?

Plenty if you ever watched your children eat and see what they select to put into their mouths, which goes down through the throat and then settles into their stomachs, you would want to vomit.

SODA:

Soda our children’s best friend it tastes great, and it comes in so many flavors:

STOP:

How do we stop this avalanche of soda drinkers that start in childhood and continue on into adulthood? We can start buy removing it from our homes. This would be one less place the child can receive this sugar and caffeine fix. We can not control what they spend money on when they are with their friends but we have to start somewhere.

WATER:

The last few years I have stopped drinking soda and caffeinated coffee. I am now drinking bottled water. I do not miss the sugar or caffeine and feel so much better. But I am an adult; children need to be helped to make the correct decisions.

MILK:

What is wrong with drinking milk? It is food for our bones and teeth. It is only a thought.

FRENCH FRIES, CHEESE AND CHIPS:

Who doesn't want to eat french fries and chips instead of vegetables and salad. We need the fat, the salt and the cheese after all it only clogs our arteries.

This is another huge problem parents must face today. French fries, cheese and chips are not going to go away as long as the income from these products are astronomical.

How can we change this or at least balance it between fruits and vegetables? Everybody has an opinion and the only person that can implement this change is you.

As an adult I find it hard to control what I eat. I recently attended a wonderful dinner at a friend’s house. The menu was not what I ordinarily eat because of the content of the ingredients.

But I was with friends we were all sitting around the table laughing and talking and enjoying each others company; consequently, I ate too much of the wrong food.

Our children are put into this situation everyday and they have less control of what they eat and I am the mature adult.

WHAT DO WE DO?

If there was an easy answer to this question I would be a millionaire. We need to stand back and take a look at this problem from a child’s prospective and then make changes.

SCHOOLS:

The schools are where are children daily are consuming their meals. Sometimes breakfast and definitely lunch everyday. The food choices available are all the child can choose from unless they bring boxed lunches.

Maybe that is what is needed. Maybe all children should start bringing their own lunches to school and the parents can send a message to the school cafeteria STOP POISONING OUR CHILDREN.

(1) These are our children. Our own flesh and blood. They are precious to us and we could not live without them.

(2) Why is it so hard for you to understand good nutrition make for healthier minds and bodies.

(3) We take precious time off our employment for their medical care.

(4) We take care of them when they are ill.

(5) You are creating massive medical and dental problem from which the snowballing effect is now being felt.

CHILDREN’ HEALTH:

Believe it or not children’s health issues are now stair climbing to the top floor faster than this problem can be fixed.

(1) Heart Problems

(2) Diabetic Problems

(3) High Cholesterol

(4) Asthma

(5) Obesity

These are just a few stairs that lead up spiraling out of control. Let us find a solution to this massive problem and step down.

FAST FOOD:

Fast food is wonderful for busy families and as a treat on occasions. Fast food restaurants have made a huge start in catering to the children and adults who do not want to eat sandwiches and french fries with every meal. Now you can substitute a salad.

Good job fast food restaurants!

Now that you have taken the first step maybe you can take another baby step. Have fresh fruit available to be purchased, if desired. You might be surprised that your customers will actually eat it.

Maybe you could take a look at your menu with a parent’s eye. What would I like my child to eat in the way of nutritional value? Maybe you could become creative and develop some tasty, attractive, dish the children will love.

ACTIVITIES:

There are many positive activities your children can get involved in. Listed below are a few:

l. Sports

2. Dancing

3. Music

4. Reading

5. Instrument

6. Swimming

7. Drama

PARENTS AND CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES TOGETHER:

(1) Taking a walk

(2) Flying a kite

(3) Playing catch

(4) Bicycle riding

(5) Roller blading

(6) Swimming - A day at the pool or beach.

(7) Reading a book followed by a discussion.

(8) Try writing a short story or poem together.

(9) Write a cookbook together.

(10) Cooking

(11) Try cutting out food groups together from magazines and making a colorful picture you can post on your refrigerator or other places around your home.

The ideas are endless since each child and parent has their own special interests and they do not need to cost a fortune. In the long run your children want to spend time with you.

When your children are healthy and busy they are less likely to get themselves into trouble. For children and teenagers trouble is lurking everywhere if they choose to look for it.

LABELS ON CANS AND BOTTLES:

Reading labels on cans and bottles in the grocery stores is confusing. I read, and read and read and in the end I don't know which item to buy? Do you feel that way too?

Maybe the food industry should try using plain English in labeling their food. What really is in it? Do you not want us the consumers, which buy and consume your food, to know the truth in the ingredients in your products?

In a restaurant it seems that each enticing dish has excessive fat, cheese and salt. All the ingredients that make your palate dance with enjoyment but oh what it does for your internal and external body.

As a parent you need to set an example in your daily diet and exercise. You may not think your children are noticing but they are.

GET KIDS COOKING:

Let your children, depending on their ages, help you in the kitchen. Let them choose the menu and let them prepare it. Most children who have a hand in the preparation of the food will eat it.

IN CLOSING:

This subject is so large and vast it makes my head spin just thinking about it.

As a mother, and grandmother I am not a professional in anyway but these are my thoughts. If your child is not receiving a well balanced diet daily make sure they are getting a good vitamin/mineral supplement.

I feel many problems children face today with attention deficit problems, behavior problems and medical problems stem from not having a nutritional balanced diet.

That is my opinion. What is yours?

Please feel free to check out my other articles. I would love to hear from you.

Copyright 2006 Linda E. Meckler

Linda is the author of her first published book, "Ghost Kids Trilogy." Christy, 12 and her brother Brad, 16 move into an old house on top of a mountain and meet 2 Ghost Kids.

Then meet the magical Blue Vase with Uncle Charlie the villain of the book trapped inside.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad in the cellar and hunt for Pirates' Treasure. Love and Family burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my 4 new E books - How To Appeal Medical Bills - Appeal and Collection Letters for Medical Providers - Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom - Computers Cause Pain http://www.lmeckler.com/store

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