A recent study led by the U.S. National Cancer Institute concluded that almost 40% of childhood calorie consumption came from solid fat and foods with added sugars. The main culprits were soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza and whole milk.
Our first lady, Michelle Obama, has taken a leadership role in the fight against childhood obesity. She has introduced innovative school nutrition reform and taken on socially irresponsible food service companies, but it is up to every parent to educate and encourage their children to make healthier choices.
Check out facts about the "Empty Food Culprits".
Whole milk is the dairy milk which has undergone only basic processing. Thus, it is more or less in its natural form. As a result it is rich in natural fat. Skim milk is a dairy milk, which has all of its fat removed, by processing. Both of them are nutritionally the same. Whole milk tastes a lot better, but skim milk provides less fat and calories for those who need to manage their weight.There are 272 calories in the average cheese pizza slice. Pizza has always been a favorite of kids so it will be hard to live without it. However, you want to make sure your child learns portion control at an early age. Teach them to eat only a couple of slices and save the rest of the pie for another meal.Cookies, donuts and other sweets are okay when consumed in moderation, but we tend lack discipline when consuming these treats. Since so many desserts are high in calories and fat, you definitely want to watch rewarding your kids with sugar laden goodies.Traditionally, ice cream is made with heavy cream loaded with saturated fat (the bad kind of fat). Some premium brands shockingly contain more than 10 grams of saturated fat and 300 kcal per half cup! If a frozen dessert treat is something you eat every day, try the lower-fat versions.If you choose to give your children fruit juice, choose 100 percent fruit juice instead of sweetened juice or fruit-juice cocktails. While 100 percent fruit juice and sweetened fruit drinks may have similar amounts of calories, your children will get more vitamins and nutrients and fewer additives from 100 percent juice.
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A recent study from Harvard University reported that teenage girls who drink soda were three times more likely to have a bone fracture than girls who do not, and that physically active girls who drink cola beverages were five times more likely to have had a bone fracture. Studies have linked soda to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease.
There's no doubt poor nutrition and eating habits are major contributing factors to the childhood obesity crisis. Let's not forget that the lack of physical activity also plays an enormous role (25% of US kids get NO daily physical activity).
That's why we created GetSweaty.com, the first video-based website that provides daily physical activity for kids. . It is a completely free resource that delivers exercise videos via the platform kids love and trust: the computer.
The concept is simple:
GetSweaty.com provides a new and fun video workout each day performed by kids, for kids.
They stay motivated because they earn points for exercising which can be redeemed for valuable prizes.
Thanks to an innovative back-end technology, teachers can use GetSweaty in group situations (class, recess, afterschool)
and with a push of a button, assign the appropriate points to the entire class. They simply turn on the computer, play the daily
workout and monitor the activity of all kids in the class through their own management tool.
There is no extra planning or work needed. And teachers are also incentivized for usage through our Cash for Class program.
Schools in Illinois have been very receptive to GetSweaty and we applaud their commitment to fighting childhood obesity.
We are committed to providing a quality physical activity resource for kids and hope you will encourage your children and their teachers to visit www.getsweaty.com.
CoolJuice which is a line of Great tasting, All Natural Juice Blends with Vitamins and Calcium is a great substitute for sodas and juice drinks. It's coming to Dominick's in 2011.
www.CoolJuice.com
Great company! I love the fact that you are offering alternatives to sugar laden beverages. Also, you seem to get that fact that kids want to associate themselves with something "cool" . Through social norming techniques, you are making healthy drinks appeal to a very hip lifestyle. We need social entrepreneurs like you to keep the innovatives ideas coming.
Thanks for the feedback and I will definitely be contacting you soon to talk about collaboration opportunities.
There's no doubt poor nutrition and eating habits are major contributing factors to the childhood obesity crisis. Let's not forget that the lack of physical activity also plays an enormous role (25% of US kids get NO daily physical activity).
That's why we created GetSweaty.com, the first video-based website that provides daily physical activity for kids. . It is a completely free resource that delivers exercise videos via the platform kids love and trust: the computer.
The concept is simple:
GetSweaty.com provides a new and fun video workout each day performed by kids, for kids.
They stay motivated because they earn points for exercising which can be redeemed for valuable prizes.
Thanks to an innovative back-end technology, teachers can use GetSweaty in group situations (class, recess, afterschool)
and with a push of a button, assign the appropriate points to the entire class. They simply turn on the computer, play the daily
workout and monitor the activity of all kids in the class through their own management tool.
There is no extra planning or work needed. And teachers are also incentivized for usage through our Cash for Class program.
Schools in Illinois have been very receptive to GetSweaty and we applaud their commitment to fighting childhood obesity.
We are committed to providing a quality physical activity resource for kids and hope you will encourage your children and their teachers to visit www.getsweaty.com.
Angel-
You are absolutely right. Physically active in conjunction with healthy eating is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
I checked out your website. You have a great business model and I hope the schools adopt such a program.
Thanks for the feedback and I wish you much success.
Here's to you health,
Chef Eric
CoolJuice which is a line of Great tasting, All Natural Juice Blends with Vitamins and Calcium is a great substitute for sodas and juice drinks. It's coming to Dominick's in 2011.
www.CoolJuice.com
Hey Ron and George-
Great company! I love the fact that you are offering alternatives to sugar laden beverages. Also, you seem to get that fact that kids want to associate themselves with something "cool" . Through social norming techniques, you are making healthy drinks appeal to a very hip lifestyle. We need social entrepreneurs like you to keep the innovatives ideas coming.
Thanks for the feedback and I will definitely be contacting you soon to talk about collaboration opportunities.
Be Cool,
Chef Eric