Healthy Food Choices for Children and the Importance of Being Informed

While I was participating in Snacktime Saturday I had this post flagged at the top of the blog as a separate "page" but now that I'm taking a step back from the project I'm re-posting it here to archive on the blog.

The health of our children continues to be extremely important to me so I'm making sure the information is still available to other parents through this blog.  There are some great resources at the end of this article so make sure to visit some of the other blogs and info to educate yourself further and spread the word.

The food choices that we make for ourselves and our families have some of the most significant impact on our planet, not to mention our health.  My family eats a mostly vegetarian diet and at home I cook 100% vegetarian because we believe eating this way is a more sustainable and ethical choice.  I also believe it is a healthier choice.  We choose whole fresh foods as often as possible.  The way my family eats isn't necessarily what works for everyone (though if you are considering going veg give Meatless Monday a try for starters).  What I do want to stress is the importance of having knowledge about what you are putting into your body.  With the rise and growth of "convenience" foods and false marketing it is becoming more difficult for us to make informed choices.

While reading Baby-Led Weaning I learned more about the way companies unethically market foods and drinks to children and violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes .  Like marketing baby foods for children under 6 months of age, before they are biologically ready for solid foods (in most cases).  And since then I started reading more articles and  labels of items especially for kids.

So let me show you what I'm talking about. (clicking on images will take you to their sources.)  Keep in mind the Canadian Stroke Network suggests children under age three should have no more than 1000mg of sodium per day.

According to Gerber's own website, Toddlers need 1,000 calories a day.  With this meal they are getting only 10% of that requirement while filling over 40% of their daily intake of sodium (410mg)!

Again, 100 calories but this one boasts 470mg of sodium!  Nearly half your child's sodium intake in that one little cup.

You know what has LESS SODIUM than both of those?

A LARGE order of fries from your local fast food restaurant contains 350mg of sodium.  Shocked?  Disgusted?  I am.  And that's why it's important to me to be able to share ideas and information about the food we are feeding out children.

Is eating one of these (or any of the Gerber selections) going to give your child diabetes?  Of course not.  But even spending your money on their products once in a while makes you a supporter of their business practices.  So I ask my readers to be mindful of not only what they are feeding their children, but where their money is going as well.

What we teach children now has an impact on our whole society.  If we teach our children about health and nutrition we are reducing their long term health problems and medical costs.  If we encourage them to help us in the kitchen we are teaching them a valuable skill that will make them independent and self-sufficient.  If we raise them to think ethically and environmentally about their food choices they can leave less of ecological footprint on our planet.  All while educating others, just as we have done for them.

Want to know more?  Here are some resources and activism I recommend.  None of these are paid or affiliate links, I just think they're great.

-The first time I started to be aware of my food choices was after seeing Super Size Me way back in 2004.  Although this is an extreme documentary and not a typical diet, it got me thinking about what I was eating.
-Next time I really started to think about food was after seeing Food Inc.  This was the big one that got me digging for more info and really changing my food choices.
-Becoming Vegetarian and Healthy Eating for Life for Children are great books.  Baby Led Weaning is also very informative when deciding how and when to transition your baby to solid foods.
-I'm certainly not the first to call out Gerber meals and products.  Read what PhD in Parenting has to say about them.
-Consider boycotting all Nestle products (including Gerber) to take a stance against their unethical practices.

Shared at:
The Pistachio Project