Why are so many children succumbing to diseases normally associated with middle age? It is shocking to read that a three-year-old girl died of a heart attack because she was so overweight. Thirty-five years ago children were slight and active little sprites. Today, as we live in a wealthier world, children’s health is at risk because although we are cash rich, we are also time poor and overfeed our children. In tests carried out recently on three hundred five-year-olds, one in five were found to be overweight, and in blood tests, these children were found to be carrying the markers for diabetes and heart failure.
Children are surrounded by junk food, targeted by marketing and tempted by brightly colored packaging with offers of toys to collect or competitions to take part in. Sugary processed breakfast cereals are promoted as healthy because they contain added iron or are fortified with vitamins. But what they do is give children a short boost of energy, because they are digested quickly, and this then leaves the child feeling hungry an hour or so later. I recently visited a school to talk about healthy lunches. I saw children’s lunch boxes packed with brightly packaged cartons and crisps, and juices that had little to do with real fruit, despite the misleading pictures of fruit on the packs. Yoghurts were labeled strawberry flavored but without any real fruit.
Making up children’s lunch boxes is time-consuming and it is very tempting to buy ready packed single portions that can be quick and easy to send the children off to school happy. But you have to be very careful. Drinks can be labeled good for you because they contain Vitamin C — yet they are full of colorants and artificial orange flavoring. As parents, we have to take charge of our children’s eating habits, and gradual changes are best if they have been allowed to fall into the wrong habits. Lead by example and show your children that you enjoy healthy food and take care of your body. If your children are overweight, it is certainly not recommended that you put them on a diet, but you can make gradual, small changes to what they eat so that as they grow up, they absorb healthy eating habits that will hopefully stay with them throughout their lives.
Recipe of the Week
Italian Style Broccoli With Tomatoes
Serves 6
Ingredients
15 g unsalted butter (or 15 ml vegetable oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
370 g Italian style peeled tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp. oregano
680 g broccoli florets
Method
Melt butter (or heat vegetable oil) in a heavy non-reactive saucepan over medium high heat. Add garlic, tomatoes, and oregano and simmer uncovered 2-3 minutes. Add broccoli, and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer 7-8 minutes or until broccoli is tender.
Ask Alva
I need to lose at least 15 kilos so please suggest some course to follow. I am basically a good food lover but I am a strict vegetarian. If I take Actrim will I lose weight? I will do some exercises. Please guide me to reduce my weight. Madma
A It is important that you do lose weight for your future good health. Always eat a healthy breakfast such as Muesli with skimmed milk and fruit. Mid-morning, have a banana for potassium. For lunch have a healthy salad with rice or bread, followed by yoghurt. Mid-afternoon allow yourself a treat. At suppertime make sure you have some vegetables, protein and carbohydrates — and a low fat desert. Make sure you drink 2 litres of water a day and a glass of fresh milk every day. Eat plenty of greens for iron. Keep sweets out of the house if you can’t resist them. My healthy eating guide is suitable for vegetarians. Send for a copy to [email protected]. You can walk every morning or evening, as this would be good for your circulation and keep you toned. Actrim can help you speed up the weight loss while you make changes in your diet. Alva
For all your weight concerns and questions e-mail Alva Carpenter at:
Selected letters will be replied to in this column.