Marketing: A Soda by Any Other Name is Still a Soda!

Marketing is fascinating. It amazes me how companies can get consumers to purchase their products based on misleading information that specifically appeals to the target audience's beliefs and concerns.

I will never forget when the "water infused with vitamins" came on the market. It was advertised hat it would give me more energy with natural vitamins and minerals. I thought "wow, that is so cool". It appealed to my health conscious self that was also a tired mom of 3. I picked it up, turned it over, only to find out it had as many calories and sugar as a sports drink and soda. This was probably 8 years ago. This "water" is still on the market and educated, health conscious people still buy this product for what it appears to be. When I work with families and we learn how to read labels, I always pull this drink out and kids and parents are always shocked.

This post was prompted by some kids I heard talking at school last week. A student had a "sparkling juice" (let's call it a Buzzee) in her lunch and came running, with her friend, in to the office saying her "Buzzee had been stolen!" "What is a Buzzee?" a teacher asked. At exactly the same time one child said soda and the other said juice.

I was in my office and I laughed to myself but I did not get involved though I wanted to yell "It is a SODA! They are trying to trick you and your parents!" But I didn't.

Since companies don't care about our health, it is up to us to educate ourselves and learn how to read and understand labels. I want people to know what they are eating and drinking. Fine, pack your child a Buzzee, but please don't pretend it is a healthy choice - it is a SODA!
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Declining Rates of Childhood Obesity

A New York Times article was published on December 10 about several cities reporting declining  rates of childhood obesity. Many people have asked me my thoughts on this news which I approach with very cautious optimism.

Although this is good news and it seems to indicate that Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign has increased awareness around this issue, we still have a long way to go.

Until we (parents, teachers, coaches, administrators,local governments, scout leaders,) truly start creating healthier environments for our kids AND making health a priority in our communities and schools, I am afraid we are still stuck.

No doubt there has been progress, mostly in raising awareness, but I still see our kids not learning how to make healthy choices and being put in situations where there aren't healthy choices available. Again, isn't this our responsibility to create healthy environments for our kids and to teach them how to make healthy choices?

To change these environments, we need to change behaviors. To change behaviors, we need to educate and we need to educate everyone about the reasons why our kids need to make healthy choices around food and exercise.

Here are a few specific environmental changes  that I hope to see some day:

1) PE in schools everyday. We see academic and behavioral benefits with just 20 minutes of PE a day. Isn't that enough information to provide PE everyday?

2) No food at school (outside of snack and lunch). Yes, I know this sounds harsh but it is too hard and too unhealthy!(allergies, larger classes so more birthdays, multiple holidays, takes time away from lessons, hurt feelings from kids who can't bring something etc.)  Let's offer extra PE time instead!

3) No treats at sporting events and scouting events! If it is an appropriate snack time, provide fruit and/or vegetables and water. I will never forget my daughter going to a 5:00 pm scouting meeting to eat brownies before coming home for dinner.I know food is fun but why does every single event have to involve food - and unhealthy food at that!

Let's start there. Then we can tackle supermarkets...

Getting Kids to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

The age old problem that will not go away...how do we get our kids to eat more fruits and vegetables? 

Here are some of my favorite ideas and recipes:

1. CUT the fruits and vegetables and leave them on the counter all afternoon. They will disappear much more quickly if you  cut and peal them for your kids. I know it is a pain, but it works. I also like to put out a bowl of washed grapes or a bowl of clementines.
2. Make sure fruits and vegetables are stored at eye level in the refrigerator and try not to have too many other options around them.
3. Offer cut vegetables right before dinner - this seems to be the time when kids come looking for munchies so if veggies are cut and ready, kids will eat more. 
4. Serve a simple vegetable soup as your first course! 
5. Serve fruit for dessert every night. This becomes a habit. When dinner is over, we have fruit which is our dessert M-Th.
6. Smoothies are a great snack and easy for kids to make themselves.
7. Try cut fruit dipped in non-fat vanilla yogurt (apples, bananas and strawberries are particularly good)

SMOOTHIE

• Frozen fruit (add vegetables if you feel adventurous)
• Nonfat plain (or vanilla) yogurt 
• Put in a blender - add nonfat milk for desired thickness

SIMPLE SOUP

• Cut butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, sweet potato, broccoli, potato (anything really..)
• Spray lightly with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt
• Roast in oven on 450 degrees (until veggies are soft - potato and squash take longer than cauliflower and broccoli..)
• Let cool.
• Put in a bowl with some chicken or vegetable broth and using a handheld blender, or a regular blender, blend to desired thickness - adding broth as needed

YUMMY FRUIT SNACK (A Kid Favorite!!)

• Cut strawberries and bananas
• Dip them in non-fat vanilla yogurt
• Dip again in krsipy rice cereal (or graham crackers for an extra special treat!)

EASY, HEALTHY VEGGIE DIP

• Use non-fat plain greek yogurt
• Add packet of *ranch dip packet
• Mix and let sit for 30 - 60 mins
• Then dip favorite vegetables!

*experiment with different seasonings to add to your greek yogurt

Good Luck!