Put the Brakes on Fast Food
Grabbing a quick bite at the drive-thru can quickly drive your child to an unhealthy weight.
Get your children on the road to good health by limiting fast-food meals to once or twice a month. Instead, make extra-large portions when you cook, and save the leftovers in individual, microwavable containers that you or your child can eat when pressed for time.
Studies say fast-food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970. That means more fats, more sugars, more simple carbohydrates, and fewer fiber- and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
This change in eating habits is associated with increasing weight gain, according to a recent study. And as kids enter young adulthood, it becomes harder to lose excess weight. Teaching your children to make healthier choices at home and at restaurants will help them avoid weight gain and the many health problems connected with being overweight.
Make the most of those times when you do eat out by creating a family fast-food plan. First, find copies of menus containing nutritional values from the popular restaurants in your area. Most are available online or by request at restaurant locations. Next, go over the menus carefully and identify those restaurants that have healthy options and those that don't and should be avoided. Then, make a list of healthy meal choices at each venue and use this list when ordering.
