The healthy eating habits of our children have reached its all-time high of concern.  Why?  This crazy fast pace world in which we live encourages us to give in to what it has to offer. Both mom and dad probably work, either outside the home or work from home.  When you complete your work day, got errands to run, need to take the kids to whatever social event they are involved in, homework to get.  Well, fast food drive thru here we come.  When we are running late and off to school, kids don't have a nutritional breakfast, some just skip breakfast.

The question I pose is Healthy eating habits – what are your kids eating?  We as parents are responsible.  When our kids are eating more meals prepared outside the home, the portions are usually bigger.  They are drinking more sodas and getting less milk.  We have gotten away from healthy eating habits and have turned to convenient eating habits.  We are all guilty. 

Here is your wakeup call:  Did you know that in the last 30 years the percentage of U.S. of children aged 6 to 11 who are overweight has nearly tripled.  Childhood obesity is on the rise.  The latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict that one in three American children born in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes at some point during their lives.  Another scary stat is that plaque building up inside arteries-one cause of heart disease-can begin in childhood.

Do I have the answers?  Absolutely not.  All I can do is inform and get the awareness out about the importance of healthy eating habits- what are your kids eating.

Bottom line:   Adults/parents the ball is in your court. It's your job to know what your kids are eating.   Become more informed on healthy eating habits and teach them to your kids.  Healthy eating habits can ensure and give you peace of mind that your kids are getting the proper nutrients they need and limiting the calories. Their healthy eating habits begin now so they can enjoy a healthy life style free of debilitating diseases.

Story time.  When my son was a child, he was a picky eater.  I constantly drilled the doctor about how I could get him to eat the right foods (healthy eating habits was not a term widely used back then).  Mind you he was my first; he had his own cabinet filled with his favorite foods.  Get the picture.  Ole doc Craven said two things; your son does not buy the groceries and the only time you need to worry about his picky eating is when you can't afford to put food on the table.   Well drilling the doctor about my picky eater came to an abrupt halt.  Don't you just love young ignorance?

Suggestions from Gigi: Find kid friendly recipes and give them a try.  Most kids like spaghetti and meatballs.  Use whole grain noodles and bake your meatballs.  Small change but in the right direction.   Try almond-crusted chicken fingers.  Instead of batter-dipped and deep fried, coat fresh chicken tenders in a seasoned almond and whole-wheat flour crust and oven-fry them (yum).  My favorite snack of all time, low fat vanilla yogurt, add favorite fruit and sprinkle with favorite nuts (my favorite fruit and nut of choice is apple and walnuts).

Healthy eating habits – what are your kids eating? -  Refrigerator posting worthy.

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