For those traveling to see loved ones for Thanksgiving or the December holidays, those who are driving will see lots of billboards. Travel information such as which fast food restaurants are at which exits. Depending on the family's cooking, those stops might seem more necessary than usual.
As we've noted numerous times, healthy food rarely gets advertising. Fast food gets lots of advertising space and dollars. Is it any wonder that a significant portion of young children think hot dogs and bacon grow on plants.
In my brief travels in 2021, I did see a billboard promoting healthy options. Going too fast to take a picture but made mental notes on the organization.
The Michigan Fitness Foundation is promoting a campaign Healthy Choices Catch On. The idea is for parents to teach their children about incorporating fruits and vegetables into snack time.
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Food education should be a part of a child's development. As we noted earlier this month, teaching isn't limited to the classroom. Parents can reinforce their eating of fruits and vegetables and having their children experience how much fun that can be.
Children want to learn from their parents. Do you want them to learn Flamin' Hot Cheetos or an apple?
This isn't an exciting, fun-filled idea but one that could build holiday memories. For those with a long car ride, make healthy snacks for the trip. They likely will get some fast food as well. As we've noted, fast food "meals" are laden with simple carbohydrates and proteins; no fruits or vegetables outside of a leaf of iceberg lettuce and lame tomato combo.
Parents will feel better about their kids nutrition on the trip. Kids will be less likely to whine about being hungry. That should make for a nicer family trip.
Mindful eating can start over the holidays and keep going
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Even if you don't see a billboard, you and your kids could sit down and watch the public service announcements together and talk about what they think about the fruits and vegetables.
This doesn't have to be a lecture. Sound out your kids about what they think about nutrition. Tell them that hot dogs and bacon come from animals, not plants. Listen to them if they don't like vegetables a certain way. Think carrots: some kids like them better cooked, others like them better raw.
The more kids are involved in the process, the more they will care about eating fruits and vegetables.
Kids place value in advertising so that is part of why kids gravitate toward candy and fast food. Show that fruits (beyond roll-ups) and vegetables (beyond French fries) have value.
photo and video credit: Michigan Fitness Foundation
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