Healthy Food for Your Kids

FRENCH fries. Popcorn. Donuts. Would your child rather eat these than fruits and vegetables? If so, then your child may be showing signs of unhealthy eating. But while parents know that their kids should eat nutritious food, getting them to do so is a constant mealtime battle.

Wyeth nutritionist Mary Jude Icasiano shares that there are many treats for tots that can eventually help train children to eat nutritious meals, which will secure their current and future health.

"Do not force your child to eat, especially if he's not fond of the food being served. You can introduce the necessary foods slowly. A good start is to ask the child to just allow a small portion of food to sit on his plate. And be a good role model, make sure your child sees you're enjoying the food that you're introducing to him," explains Icasiano.

Icasiano adds: "Make meal time a pleasant social occasion. Turn off the TV; watching TV during mealtimes prevents family interaction and interferes with a child's eating. Show your child you value time shared while eating."

The nutrition expert also suggests that parents should involve children in food discussions, planning, buying and preparation. "Ask your child's help when you're doing the grocery. Bring him to the vegetable and fruits section for his exposure to nutritious food. This will make him interested with these kinds of food."

"Offer a variety of healthy and tasty foods, but be adventurous! Remember, you're dealing with a child and you have to be creative and innovative to attract and make him enjoy the meal you are serving," explains Icasiano.

Unhealthy Foods

Unhealthy or Junk food is an informal term applied to some foods that are perceived to have little or no nutritional value (i.e. containing "empty calories"); to products with nutritional value, but also have ingredients considered unhealthy when regularly eaten; or to those considered unhealthy to consume at all.

Junk foods are typically ready-to-eat convenience foods containing high levels of saturated and / or trans fats, salt, or sugar, and little or no fruit, vegetables, or dietary fiber; and are considered to have little or no health benefits. Common junk foods include salted snack foods like chips (crisps), candy, gum, most sweet desserts, fried fast food and carbonated beverages (sodas) as well as alcoholic beverages. High-sugar cereals, particularly those targeted at children, such as Fruit candies, are also classified as junk food.

Junk food consumption alters brain activity in a manner similar to addictive drugs. After many weeks on a junk food diet, the pleasure centers of our brains become desensitized, requiring more of the junk food for pleasure.

Junk or unhealthy fast foods have become a part of our busy lifestyle. Fast food restaurants are popular because they serve filling foods that taste good and are not that heavy on pockets. However, the reason for the fast foods being cheap can be subjected to the use of cheaper ingredients such as high fat meat, refined grains, and added sugar and fats, instead of nutritious foods such as lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables.