Do you know the nutrition information for a kid’s Happy Meal?
Well, McDonald’s website doesn’t list it, but we can look at each piece of the meal: small fries – 230 calories, 11 grams fat, 160 milligrams of sodium; 4 piece chicken McNuggets – 190 calories, 12 grams fat, 400 milligrams of sodium; chocolate milk – 170 calories, 3 grams fat, 150 milligrams of sodium. That’s a grand total of 590 calories, 26 grams fat, and 710 milligrams of sodium.
As moms and dads we have the most influence with our kids when it comes to eating habits. What foods we eat in front of them, share with them, feed them (and give to them when they beg) is establishing their eating behavior.
What we teach them now about food is how they’ll relate to food as teenagers…and then as adults.
What’s scary is to see how poorly kids are being trained about healthy eating. Many have sugary cereal for breakfast, chips and candy for snacks, chicken nuggets and fries for lunch, pizza for dinner. If they’re lucky, they’ll get a few baby carrots or applesauce sometime during the day.
It’s all about convenience – and not spending time and effort on preparing food.
How does this translate as they grow up? Egg and sausage muffin for breakfast, a double cheeseburger and fries for lunch, soda and a candy bar for a mid-afternoon snack, and a meatball sub for dinner.
Think that sounds extreme? Unfortunately, it’s becoming the normal American diet. And it’s a diet that’s leading our country to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
The drive thru may seem convenient, but is it worth the price you’ll child will pay? Giving in to begging may bring peace for a minute, but what will it cost in the end? Not “making” your child eat her share of nutritious foods may be easier at the moment, but what health challenges will that cause down the road?
Kids need healthy foods too. Teach them now!
