by: Cheryl Haining
Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for their children. When they are able to opt for healthy choices, about two-thirds struggle to get their children to eat healthily, a poll of nearly 800 parents found. Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP), which commissioned the survey, said that parents need more support to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 20 years, official figures show.
Recent studies suggest that parents do not know what good nutrition is. Perhaps advertising of fast foods, and busy life styles has contributed to this. Nutritional meals can be prepared quickly and simply at home.
Of the parents of children aged 15 years and younger questioned by the DPP, 45% said they found it difficult to work out which foods were healthy for their children. When parents did select healthy foods, 65% said they struggled to motivate their children to eat it. Three-quarters of parents blamed advertising and marketing of unhealthy snacks and drinks for making this job so difficult. Another 87% believed that schools should play a big role in teaching children how to be healthy.
When more than a thousand children aged seven to 16 were questioned about their lifestyles, 70% said they would be more likely to eat healthily and get active if their parents were doing it. Only 16% said they ate the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. This suggests that parents are not making healthy food choices themselves. There are strong links between obesity and ill health. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare lists the following increased risks of cancers in obese people:-
MEN
WOMENCancer
% Increase Risk
Cancer
%increase RiskProstate
23
Uterus
178Leukaemia
43
Kidney
110Bowel
53
Bowel
35Liver
128
Liver
48Gallbladder
76
Breast
71
Statistics such as these are a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight level. Children must be given every opportunity to have a healthy body. In order to get their family on track to a healthy lifestyle parents need to learn how to feed themselves and their family good nutrition.
A simple way to improve nutrition is to add raw fruit and vegetables to family diets. These are foods that have no preservatives or added color. They provide plenty of vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, fiber, water and trace elements. (All necessary for good nutrition.) They look appetizing and have high water content. They have a firm texture which means we need to chew them well. This aids the digestive system. The body quickly and easily processes them. This means less work for the digestive system.
They are natural, that is, not processed and pre-packaged with extra chemicals. They are pure energy ? living foods. Look for different colored vegetables and fruits when you shop. Experiment with ones you have never tasted. Visit a market for more variety and fresher foods. Eat at least one from each group every day.
Red/Purple Group includes tomatoes, watermelon, berries, cherries, and grapes
Orange/Yellow includes carrots, sweet potato, squash, mangoes, cantaloupe, apricots, oranges, mandarins pineapples and many stone fruits
Yellow/green among this group are avocado, spinach, beans, peppers, corn, beans, broccoli, green leafy vegetables,
White/green
some in this group asparagus, celery, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, pears
For more information read, ?What Color is Your Food? by Dr D Heber.
Experiment with adding these to your daily diet. Of course a balanced diet must also include daily servings of dairy, whole grains and protein. Start with the simple idea of adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to the family?s daily food intake. This simple step will have fantastic and long lasting impact on your health.
About The Author
Cheryl Haining is a skin care, body shape and nutrition coach. She has her own successful business. Her mission statement is to ensure everyone reaches his or her optimum body shape, size and condition. Contact Cheryl at www.uloseweight.net
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Our Visit To Door Peninsula Winery In Door County Wisconsin
Our Visit To Door Peninsula Winery In Door County Wisconsin
by: Doreen Ruplinger
If you like wine, stop at the Door Peninsula Winery in Carlsville, Wisconsin the next time you get to Door County.
The winery is north of Sturgeon Bay on Hwy 42.
It is located in an old schoolhouse.
My husband, one of my grown sons, and myself stopped there during a recent trip to Door County.
The evening before we had dined at Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin (also in Door County), and had been given a coupon for a free tour of the winery and free wine tasting.
It seemed like too good of a deal to pass up.
Even if you don?t have a coupon for the tour, it?s a bargain at $2 for each adult.
And if you?re not interested in the tour but just in the wine tasting, the wine tasting is free to anyone 21 years of age or older.
We decided to take the tour and then taste some of the...
Our Visit To Door Peninsula Winery In Door County Wisconsin
Fruit baskets > Our Visit To Door Peninsula Winery In Door County Wisconsin
Case Goods
Case Goods
by: Angela Oliver
Case goods are essential for a bedroom or living room setting. Not only do they add elegance to the room, but they are also functional and keep the room from looking cluttered. Different types of case goods that are available include bookcases, chest of drawers, cupboards and wardrobes.
Book cases are a great design element to add to any room. If there are lots of books to store or put on display, they can be showcased on the bookcases. Bookcases can also be decorated with other home furnishing accessories. By adding a picture frame, some flowers, candles, decorative book ends, and bookcase can really enhance the look of the room. Also use fabrics to drape over or around the book shelf to create soft edges and give the room a cozy feeling.
A chest of drawers is an essential element for any bedroom. They are very important for storing goods and other fine goods. A chest also serves as a vanity which can be...
Case Goods
Fruit baskets > Case Goods