By Andrea Frank Henkart, M.A., Certified Nutritional Counselor

Most parents agree that everything in moderation is best when it comes to our kids, especially when it comes to food. With vending machines filled with junk food and soda, lollipops given as a reward at the doctor’s office, and over 17,000 new processed foods introduced yearly (1)—many of which are sold at kid’s eye level—at what moment does moderation become excess?

When you cut through all the mass marketing messages, the packaging, and the whining and begging, the bottom line is always the same: kids need healthy fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy proteins, and a certain amount of healthy fats. They also need vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients to form healthy bodies and minds. The best way to get these is through good food, preferably organic whenever possible.

However, it is not that easy to ensure your children are getting the proper nutrition they need. Our soils are depleted of minerals (2). Also, over 80,000 environmental toxins are released yearly with most of them going untested for toxicity (3). Many kids are picky eaters and refuse to eat the healthy food you offer them. Put those and other factors together and you have a lack in the proper nutrients your child receives.

Generally speaking, most kids get too much of the wrong stuff and not enough of the right stuff. Chances are, your kids and many of their peers are eating too many fats, added sugars, sodium, empty carbs, and preservatives. Statistics show kids aren’t getting nearly enough fruits and veggies. Only 22 percent of children ages 2 to 5 meet government recommendations for vegetable consumption according to a 2009 study by researchers at Ohio State University, and it only gets worse as kids get older. Just 16 percent of children ages 6 to 11 meet the government’s guidelines, and only 11 percent of those ages 12 to 18 (4).

The childhood obesity rate has more than tripled in the past four decades (5). Girls now have a 40 percent lifetime risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and boys have a 30 percent risk (6). Without changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle, our kid’s odds of growing into healthy adults are not looking good.

There may be many issues over which you battle with your kids, like safety and homework. But food? Food sustains your family and brings everyone together. If your family meals have become family feuds, then perhaps it is time to switch things up. Kids who get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy, well-balanced diet build strong, healthy bodies.

Isagenix is committed to providing quality products that help our customers live healthier, happier lives. We often receive questions from parents who wonder if these products are also appropriate for their children. While most Isagenix programs are scientifically designed and marketed for adults, many of the products themselves can serve as kid-friendly alternatives to other less nutritious snack options. We provide suggested age information on our website for all Isagenix products. However, when it comes to the health of a child, the most important thing is to ensure he or she is getting plenty of exercise and eating a well-balanced diet. Parents are encouraged to consult with their pediatrician before introducing new foods into their child’s diet.

References

  1. Pollan M. Food Rules, An Eater’s Manual. The Penguin Press, New York, 2011.
  2. Davis DR, Epp MD, Riordan, HD. Changes in the USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950 to1999. J Amer Col Nutr, 2004;23(6):669-682.
  3. Reuben SH. Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now. President’s Cancer Panel, Annual Report 2008-2009. Retrieved from: http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/annualReports/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf
  4. Cohen, E. Ten Ways To Get Kids To Eat Their Veggies. 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/02/kids.eat.vegetables.ep/
  5. American Heart Association. Understanding Childhood Obesity, An Epidemic of Excess. 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_304175.pdf
  6. Institute of Medicine. Obesity Related Diseases. Albany, NY. 2004

About Andrea Frank Henkart

Andrea Frank Henkart has two teaching credentials from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Family Psychology. She has more than 35 years of experience as a Certified Holistic Health Educator and Certified Nutritional Counselor. An internationally recognized authority on family health, she is the author of eight books, including two bestsellers: Cool Communication: From Conflict to Cooperation for Parents and Kids, (which is endorsed by Oprah) and co-written with her daughter, Journey, and Isagenix for Healthy Moms and Kids. She’s also the author of our newest brochure, Isagenix for Kids! Andrea has been featured on hundreds of radio and television shows internationally, including the Oprah Winfrey Show. She is fondly known in Isagenix as the, “Resident Family Expert.” Andrea is the proud mother of two adult children, loves to travel the globe, is building swing sets in the impoverished schools in Southern Belize and is involved in other philanthropic endeavors. She is passionate about helping families create health and harmony at home.