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- Strengthening Your Legs
- Working Out on Empty Stomachs
- Making Cardio Less Painful
- Avoid Crashing
- Coping With Sweets
- Increasing Metabolism
- Organize Your Training
- Eating Habits
- Visceral Belly Fat
- The Best Running Shoe
- Strength or Aerobic Capacity?
- Toning Legs with Cardio
- My Doctor's Scale is Off
- More Reps and their Effects
- 04/24/08: Newsletter
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- 8-29-07: Newsletter
- 6-20-07: Weight Loss
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- 5-08-07: Friendly Pressure
- 4-27-07: Running Routines
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- 4-10-07: Back Injury
- 4-03-07: Lunges Quads Butt
- 3-27-07: Running Off Fat
- 3-27-07: Runners Diet
- 3-23-07: Eating Late
- 3-13-07: Abs for the Obese
- 3-07-07: Supplements
- 2-21-07: Carbs Weight Gain
- 2-14-07: Accurate Bodyweight
- 2-07-07: Weight Fluctuations
- 1-30-07: Best Oatmeal
- 1-21-07: Winter Cardio
- 1-14-07: Training Children
- 1-10-07: Sick Bay
- 1-03-07: Shin Splints
- 2006: Archives
- 2005: Archives
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10-17-06// Kids and Fast Food
Should I worry about my child's diet?
Chris:
My wife and I had our first child 2 years ago. Before he was born we promised each other that we would try to feed him a healthy diet so that he would grow into a strong and healthy young man. We have done a pretty good job so far however his grandparents have a different idea of what his diet should consist of. Don’t get me wrong his grandparents are wonderful people but every time they take him they stop off at McDonalds for lunch. They also keep a drawer full of candy at their house that keeps him busy whenever he visits them. I don’t mind them giving him treats every once in a while but I don’t think he needs to eat junk everyday. Do you think I’m being too strict? Is this really something I should worry about or should I chalk it up to just part of growing up?
Bill W.
Bill:
This is a topic that really gets me fired up because children don’t have a choice when it comes to the food they eat. Instead they have to eat what their parents or grandparents give them. The fact is the habits we teach them today will probably stay with them for the rest of their lives. So why not teach them good eating habits? Let’s not forget, you are what you eat. If you feed your kids junk during the critical stages of growth you may be setting them up for health problems such as diabetes or obesity. Therefore I believe you have every right to be concerned about your child’s diet.
Experts are now saying that of 60% Americas are obese and you know what I believe it. Take a good look around you and you will see that this country has a serious problem. What will it take before we realize that this problem starts with our youth?
Why it is that hot dogs and French fries are good enough for kids but shunned by those of us that want to stay in shape? In fact many of us feed our kids with foods that adults avoid when we are trying to loose weight? To me that makes no sense.
I am not a dietician nor have I ever claimed to be but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that feeding kids fattening food on a daily basis puts them at a serious disadvantage. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t allow kids to have a treat now and then but it shouldn’t be an everyday thing.
The old saying, “You don’t miss what you never had” has a lot of truth to it. If kids don’t eat foods with loads of sugar, then they won’t be missing much. If they eat fast food every once in a while they will see it as a reward not a lifestyle.
I’m sure it’s very hard to tell your son that he can’t have certain types of foods however I believe in tough love. Sometimes you have to stand your ground in order to do what’s best for those you care about.
I would also suggest having a talk with your mother in law. Give her some guidelines for the foods you want your son to eat. Allow her to treat him every once in a while but limit it to special occasions. I’m sure she will understand.