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Parent's Guide To "Cartoon Foods" |
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Fun foods for kids are all the rage. Kid foods are everywhere. Walk down a supermarket aisle and notice all the food items designed to attract the kids. They range from Fruit Loops or Coco Pops breakfast cereals to Pokemon chocolate custard snacks. From processed cheese cartoon shapes to biscuit mixes with 'free' toy. Lunch box convenience foods are also on the increase. Food makers have discovered what a gold mine these products can be, because children have a big impact on family food purchases. They influence what parents buy, and what they eat.
TV and even computer ads about foods for kids are on the increase. No longer do we see food marketing only during cartoons, we now see it on prime time television. Should we be concerned? The answer is yes. Most novelty food items for kids are: - low in essential nutrients
- high in kilojoules, particularly sugar kilojoules and
- expensive
Childhood obesity is increasing. Excess kilojoule intake is not good for any child. Parents need to be in charge of their children's diets. The goals are: - to provide enjoyable meals for all members of the family and
- to assure that your family has adequate nutrients to grow strong and stay healthy
Make your own "cartoon foods" using healthy ingredients. Try these ideas: - freeze juice or yoghurt with fruit in small paper cups, and insert a paddle pop stick in the middle.
- use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into fun shapes
- make fun designs with food like smiley faces or animals
There is no end to the possibilities. If you are short on ideas consult a dietitian. Make eating fun and nutritional for your children. Remember, eating habits learned in childhood carry over to adulthood. Article #6972 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
