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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Do you know what your children eat?

If you are a normal parent, you want the very best for your children. All of the parents I know would do anything to ensure that their children are healthy, happy and grow into productive adults. Yet, in the past 30 years obesity rates for children has tripled. Obesity puts children more at risk for heart disease, diabetes and bone and joint problems later in life. Obese children are more likely to be obese adults.

What has caused the disparity from wanting the best for children to the rising obesity and the subsequent health risks in children? I believe the problem occurs because you take what your children eat for granted. In the interest of saving time, you resort to buying and serving fast and pre-prepared foods that unfortunately contain high levels of sugar, fat, salt, preservatives, and empty calories. You forget how important nutrition is and that if you aren’t looking out for your children’s health, the manufacturers of fast and prepackaged foods certainly will not.

Do you allow your children to drink unlimited amounts of juice and soda? Do you read the labels from the packaged foods your children eat? Do you find creative ways to give them nutritious foods? Do you cook for your children in order to control the type and quantity of fat, sugar and salt they eat? You tell your child to never drink and drive because you know the dangers are real and immediate. You tell your children not to smoke because you know the results of a lifetime of smoking can be deadly. Yet, you often forget the dangers of unhealthy eating. The results of a lifetime of unhealthy eating may not be immediate, but they can be just as deadly.

As America’s Cooking Cheerleader™, I want to put you back in the driver’s seat of your family’s heath. You need to be in control and in charge of what your children eat. You need to buy real foods and cook them. Do not convince yourself you do not have the time. What could possible be a better use of your time than ensuring that your children eat well and are healthy?

Cooking is easier than you think and you and your family are worth the time and effort it takes.

Simple cooking idea: Meat browns better if it is dry. Use a paper towel to pick it up when you add it to the hot oil.

Copyright ©2010 by Gigi Centaro. All Rights Reserved.

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