Why is Junk food for the kids ?

[LC_Dave]

So, I was watching one of these stupid McDonalds (We call it Maccas) Adverts on television. It shows some silly woman talking about how she loved eating their junk when she was little but now that they have salads and stuff she has come back with her daughter. And of cause the daughter is eating a Happy meal while she's eating lettuce. And she steals a chip (french fry).

OT. Did you know it was an Australian dude that came up with McDonald's healthy menu choices, he was running McDonalds worlwide but died of a heart attack at like 42

Anyways it got me thing.... why is junk food for kids ? Think about our collective cultures where we go it's okay for kids to eat junk becaus ethey are growing ? But we (adults have to eat healthy).

Yeah sure they have faster metabolisms, but is that a reason kids should consume junk ? If you think of traditional indigenous cultures, food was food. evryone pretty much ate the same thing - and a lot healthier. Inuit children would eat the same ketogenic diet as their parents.

Why do we think it's okay for kids to eat junk ?

[teejay]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

Because it is easier than listening to them whine.

TJ

[ttdriver]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

Because its cheap and "fun" .. they get kid-sized meals complete with TOYS (actually little pieces of JUNK). Its all about marketing.

Betty

[yemenitegreen]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

Reminds me of the people who buy biking helmets for their children but don't wear them theirselves. Taöl about role models...

I know several children who don't even like junk because they were educated by their parents to eat whole foods, homemade foods, no aroma-laden snacks or sugary junk. But, of course, handing your child a chocolate or candy bar is much easier than offering real foods. I am always annoyed when I see toddlers munching on white flour baked sugary goods and I think, if it has to be sweet, they could be eating a banana or some other fruit.

I agree with Betty, a lot is just marketing. TV commercials for kids yogurt, kids sweets, handy little kiddy-firendly junk food. It is a major brainwash. Birthday - give sweets. Special occasion / Valentine => give sweets. Dating => burger joint or junk food. Fun night = pizza night. Because we love our children, we don't want to hassle them (and us), and becaude junk food isn't served at home, it has another special occasion 'flavor' to it.

I think we need to establish new traditions and rituals with better food choices. Have a look at the Thanksgving edition of a food mag in USA - even the vegetable choices are very carby and sweetened.

I grew up eating mom's organic veggies and the first real junk food - aside from an occasional piece of rhubarb or apple pie - I had was in senior high school. Everybody was eating cafeteria foods, stuff from the bakery grabbed on the go, because it was convenient - and because everybody else did.

So, we need a paradigm shift in what is good and what is healthy as much as in the general perception of 'special occasion food'. And people need to be educated about food quality- most of the food in restaurants is mediocre at best., but people like it, even love it...

yemenitegreen

[Elizellen]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

What an interesting topic, Dave. Really makes you think!!

[Heidi3]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

My kids have made it clear that I deprived them by breastfeeding to a cup and then never feeding them crap....go figure?

[not2late]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

Because it is easier than listening to them whine.

TJ

Unfortunately that's very true. I work in a doctor's office and you can only imagine how many kids (we're talking 3 year olds) come in here with snacking on bags of cookies and chips or are told "If you're good, we'll go to (fill in fast food place of your choice)" Granted they might be giving these treats in order to calm the kids down for the visit, but these kids are overweight.

I've never heard a parent say "If you behave, I'll take you to the park to ride bikes tomorrow".

But kids are taught early in life to like "junk". Take a look at this baby junk food line from the Gerber company http://www.gerber.com/prodcat?catid=524

[Heidi3]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

I was a pediatric nurse for 12 years and the most disgusting things to me was seeing the amount of crap kids ate ...it was like what is the point of giving your kids this stuff that does not help them grow..then tell me they were constipated and would not eat well.....and how heavy kids got in the 12 years I did this....I saw mothers..not just one time but several ....put diet soda in baby bottles and then take the time to shake the bubbles out of it for the baby.....

no wonder we are so sick and fat....

[not2late]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

It was like what is the point of giving your kids this stuff that does not help them grow..

It helps them grow...grow wide.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

Because it is easier than listening to them whine.

TJ

LOL, that pretty much sums it up!

[biogeek]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

I think once they get kids hooked on junk food, they have them for life! Before starting Atkins, how many of you ate junk food? I bet all of us did. It's all about the almighty dollar for manufacturers.

[ttdriver]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

MY REGULAR PRE ATKINS DIET CONSISTED OF:

McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
KFC
Taco Bell

And I had the figure to show for it. Garbage in/garbage out.

Now, I'd sooner starve than eat at any of those places.

Betty

[biogeek]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

I think we were on the same diet there, Betty! I'd also add many pints of beer at the local brewpub with the usual unhealthy fare. What was I thinking?

[Savinmommy]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

It's not ok!! This is exactly why ADD, childhood obesity, and many other childhood problems are so rampant nowadays. Kid's diets are much more important because everything, including their brains are developing everyday.

I am trying to train my 5 and 2 yr old to eat healthier, esp since I started this WOL. We've never been big fast food people, except for pizza allot(pre-atkins). When my 5 yr old goes to the grocery store with me, he's constantly asking "is this junk?, is this junk?" up and down the aisles. He's starting to learn what foods help him grow and what foods are junk. If only the grandparents would quit the happymeals.

[ttdriver]

Re: Why is Junk food for the kids ?

When my 5 yr old goes to the grocery store with me, he's constantly asking "is this junk?, is this junk?" up and down the aisles. He's starting to learn what foods help him grow and what foods are junk.

I LOVE THAT!! WTG Stacey!!

Betty