September 28, 2006
This morning I was reading the New York Times and there was an article about how islet cell transplants aren't working as well to cure type 1 diabetes as researchers had originally hoped. While 85% or so of patients in the trial were able to completely stop insulin therapy at first, within two years, most of them were back on insulin again. So it's back to the drawing board for the researchers.
On the facing page, there was a giant half-page ad for Godiva Chocolates.
There was also a lengthy article in the Times about how there are a lot of parents these days who leave strict instructions for their children's nannies about what foods they can and cannot have. Anything with processed sugar tends to be a no-no, and some parents will only allow organic foods, nothing with trans-fats, etc. There was an undertone in the article of, "Look at these overprotective parents; kids 20 years ago were raised on chicken nuggets and french fries and it wasn't a problem then."
Except that kids raised 20 years ago are today's adults, and the last I checked, the United States is in the middle of a gigantic (pardon the pun) obesity epidemic, which is leading to higher health care costs as seemingly half of the country is diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes or "metabolic syndrome" or high blood pressure or name the weight-related condition of your choice. So I can't help but think it's a good thing that some parents are banning processed, fatty foods from their kids' diets.
We're probably about in the middle of the range when it comes to nutritious eating. I don't buy organic produce. (Pause for shocked intake of breath from readers.) It's too expensive and my feeling is that fruits and vegetables are important for their vitamin content, and I can buy more of them if I don't shop organic. We also take the kids to McDonald's about once a week, and while I do generally get them apples instead of fries in their Happy Meals, a cheeseburger is still not the healthiest food choice, y'know?
But, we only eat whole wheat bread, and I cook mostly without sugar, and we don't keep baked treats around the house. In fact, we don't keep treats in the house, period, unless you count apples and frozen peas. (Seriously. My kids will beg me desperately to give them frozen peas for lunch. Not reheated frozen peas; just little peasicles straight from the bag to their plates. Does anyone else's child do this? Please tell me they do.) We try to have meals at home almost every night, and when the kids are thirsty they get water or milk. Juice is a special treat.
There are occasional Popsicles and I could probably do better for their lunches than boxed mac & cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the two of which comprise about 85% of our lunch menus on a weekly basis. Sometimes I'll get inspired and bust out something like broccoli/cheese melts on whole wheat pita, or toasted ham and Swiss sandwiches, but generally it's PB&J or mac & cheese, unsweetened applesauce or a banana or an apple or mandarin oranges or some kind of fruit, carrot sticks, and maybe a yogurt. It is not super innovative but it is quick and easy and marginally healthy (the mac & cheese is debatable) and I get no complaints. Although I don't get complaints with the broccoli/cheese melts on whole wheat pita either, so maybe I should branch out a little.
But today it's going to be PB&J and applesauce. I am nothing if not predictable.
Posted at September 28, 2006 10:33 AM
Posted by: John Powell at September 28, 2006 1:45 PM
Yup about the peas. When I pull them out for dinner, the kids come running and grab a handful. Even now at 12 and 9 years of age!
Posted by: Bibi at September 28, 2006 1:48 PM
My 13 month old LOVES frozen peas too. It's the only thing I can keep him quiet with in his high chair while I'm trying to get something done.
Posted by: Mary at September 28, 2006 9:59 PM
My 2-year-old still loves frozen peas, and honestly, so do I!
Posted by: Stacey at October 2, 2006 2:49 PM
Yes, our 9 year old still gets excited over frozen peas, still frozen. Our 12 year old has out grown this.