As mothers we wear so many hats. One of them, "Nutrition Specialist." We are in charge of what our kids put in their mouths and if it is good for them.
In our home we follow The Word of Wisdom. As well as the guidelines set by the USDA. We follow a diet of "moderation."
Recently the USDA has acknowledged the huge concern that people have about the health of the American population. They have released new data in an attempt to improve the health of the American people.
Among the changes....
Reduce your daily sodium. (even more)
Sodium intake should be less than 2,300 milligrams. African Americans, or those suffering from hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease should reduce intake to 1,500 milligrams. That is about 1/2 tsp. of salt.
*I know that too much salt is bad, but 1/2 to 1 tsp of salt a day seems really hard to observe.
Eat more fish.
Consume 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week from a variety of seafood types. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should eat seafood at least twice a week for nutrients that play an important role in babies' brain and eye development.
*I was really happy about this one. Especially now that doctors don't prohibit fish when your pregnant. When I was pregnant with our son, over 8 years ago, the recommendation was no fish, none at all. For 9 months I didn't touch any seafood. Not even one bite. Talk about will power. It is refreshing to know that is no longer the recommendation.
Increase physical activity.
Children ages 6-17 should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily. Adults ages 18-64 should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.
*All the more reason that we need to keep P.E. in schools and moderate T.V., video game, and computer usage. It is increasingly important for our kids to "get out and play."
What do you think...
There has been a lot of backlash with these new guidelines. Especially from mothers who want "Specific Foods" not only mentioned in the guidelines, but banned.
It seems to me that regardless of the guidelines, I am still the parent and I make the decisions. It doesn't matter what the USDA recommends it is still my job to do what is best for our family and for our kids. Guidelines or not. If they banned Happy Meals, I would still have the choice to let my kids eat them. Just like I have the choice now.
The confusion for me comes more with the school systems. I am not totally "fluent" on school funding, but if the USDA is talking about more and more physical activity, you would think the government would fight harder to save P.E., not cut it.
Do you care about the USDA guidelines?
How strict are you with the food your children eat?
Do you think the government should have a say in what we eat?
On our agenda tomorrow, the kids and I are going to make sugar cookies. Pretty sure I am not going to leave the salt out. They just wouldn't taste the same.
I think the proposition for the USDA to ban Happy Meals or to take the toys out of Happy Meals is absurd. It's like parents are saying that they don't have the power to decide what their children are eating. Not to mention it's more than just the kids meals. If a child is eating way too many Happy Meals they are probably not eating very healthily at home.
ReplyDeleteI have found that feeding my one year old has made me much more aware of what I'm eating. I like to feed him what we're having and I want him to be healthy. I have put more of an effort into including veggies and whole grains than I did before.
I can get on board with the new guidelines, except for the seafood thing. I have strongly disliked seafood since I was six years old, and can only do a little canned tuna fish every once in a while. (Which is really sad considering my FIL goes deep sea fishing in Alaska every summer and brings home a freezer full of fresh fish:(
ReplyDeleteWhitney, I totally agree with you. It is not the governments job to decide what our kids eat in the first place. As parents we should be smart enough to make those decisions for our own families. It seems that when we start banning anything, we have lost the democracy we worked so hard to establish.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteNo seafood at your house huh. That is pretty funny that your FIL is ready to stock your freezer. It makes it hard to cook when you can't stand it yourself. How about your husband and kids. Do they like it?
I agree that we need more exercise. I sure do! But I will not eat fish. Sorry. It's too stinky. My kids school won't allow them to eat junk for a morning snack. That's nice and all, but it drives me crazy if I send a cookie and they can't eat it till lunch. If I want to send a cookie or chips once in a while, then let them eat it! But I get that they want them to have energy. I'm all for more vegetables and fruit and healthy eating, but it's so hard when one child won't eat any fruit or vegetables and no nuts are allowed in the school. My lunch sending options are limited. Any suggestions for healthy meals or snacks?? (She will drink smoothies, so maybe we need those daily?)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the novel... I also think if I make my own cookies or granola bars or muffins then they are healthy. lol. At least there's no preservatives right?
Hi there, Stopping by from SITS! I think it's funny that people complain about something that isn't banned, because as soon as it is, other people are going to complain about that too. (Just look at how the whole fois gras ban in Chicago went) :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your sugar cookies--you could even tint the sugar red for valentine's day, although that would probably add sodium, somehow. Lol.
Have an Extraordinary Day!