Page 41 - Scene Magazine July 2022 47-07
P. 41

                                   Nutrition Scene
BY BRIAN NES
   SEL
  that it was close enough to school that ad- vertisers were talking to my parents. And, as an adult, I hate those commercials just as much, because I love having my kiddos around for summer. But, alas, time passes far faster than we’d like, and school is just around the corner, yet again.
Lastly, keep your child active. I
could go on and on about the sedentary lifestyle our kids now have. Video games and social media have had a huge impact on childhood obesity. Have them ride their bikes, take walks with you, and
get outside when they want to hide in their room. And make it fun! Challenge them to a push-up competition, see how many miles you can hike in a day – for goodness sake listen to your child when they want you to be involved and throw the ball around for a little while. What you have going on, the stresses you must face each day... those are things you do to create a better life for your child.
So, here’s to the Target, Walmart,
and Meijer commercials telling us how soon we have to prepare to ditch our kids summer fun for school preparation. Start practicing. Start making a routine. And get ready to show your kids (enthusiastic kids or not) that their health and your own are very important to you. Cook some meals during the week, talk to your kids about the health and life you hope they will have when they get old and grumpy like us. And put them first.
I promise, it’s that easy.
You know who has an impossible job? The food service at schools, that’s who. Our government puts all sorts of rules and regulations on them about how healthy their food has to be, yet puts
our school systems in such a financial pickle that the food service program has to figure out how to make ketchup into
a fruit. Seriously, not joking. I’m friends with several people who provide lunches for our children in schools, and their hands are tied. I know they do their best to provide as nutritious of meals as they can while staying within a budget that is nothing but ludicrous.
And here’s one extra thing – realize your influence. Our children mirror our behavior. So, model the type of behavior
 So, how do we keep are kids healthy if we are parents that rely on the school food programs? Let me give you a few suggestions.
First, pound it into your children’s head that they can’t drink their sugar and calories. EASILY this is the biggest battle against childhood obesity and develop- mental health. Soda pop isn’t allowed
in most schools today, but sugary juice drinks are. And many parents don’t real- ize there is no difference between pop and a juice drink. Literally, no difference at all. So, tell your kids to have water. Yep, boring old water. It will spare them, on average, 300 calories a day, and around 15 to 25 grams of sugar a day. You just made a huge difference in your child’s life with something as simple as water.
How is it possible that we’re having a Back to School edition now? As a kid I remember seeing the commercials on TV and getting so angry and depressed
nuts and fruit. I don’t expect a single kid on the planet to have veggies during a school lunch, but make sure they get plenty of green, leafy veggies at dinner. And, yes, I know the fight you will face to accomplish that, but I promise you it is worth all the effort.
you want for you child. There’s nothing more motivating to a kid than seeing Mom or Dad decide THEY want to be healthier. Take them on walks, include them in your meal prep, talk to them about the choices they make to eat and drink while at school. But let them know you are their safe place, let them know you’re a part of the journey to the best, healthiest them... and then show them with your actions that their health is im- portant enough for YOU to get your own health in order.
How do we keep are kids healthy?
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                       Second, find a way to pack a lunch for your child at least a few times a week. Yes, it takes planning and commitment, and even a little effort, but your child will benefit greatly from your choice. Get uncured meats and low carb breads and give them a pretty healthy sandwich each day. Fill up their lunchbox (assum- ing there’s still such a thing) with raw
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