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 News & Views on Child Nutrition For Parents, Educators, and Health Professionals by Connie Evers, MS, RD Issue 37, October 2001 |
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Taking Care During Times of StressI thought it appropriate to include some reminders on how we can take care of ourselves and our families during this time of trauma and uncertainty following the September 11 attacks. If you have additional tips to share, please send an email to StressTips@nutritionforkids.com and I will share these in the next issue. Stress takes a toll on both our mind and bodies. Too little sleep, poor eating habits, lack of exercise and over-reliance on caffeine all contribute to stress-related sickness and chronic disease. Parents who neglect themselves will also find it more difficult to establish healthful habits for their children. The following guidelines are designed to help you identify and better manage your family's stress: Stressed-Out Kids Adjust Your Schedule Celebrate Autumn! If your child has a television in his/her room, consider finding an alternate location for the tube. Studies show that kids with TVs in their room are more likely to skimp on both homework and active play.
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ASK CONNIE: The Juice DebateQ. Is it true that fruit juice is "bad" for kids? I always thought juice was OK as long as it was real fruit juice. I read that doctors don't think kids should drink juice. Do you agree? A. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting fruit juice to 4-6 ounces per day for children 1 to 6 years old and 8-12 ounces daily for kids ages 7 to 18. In their recent policy statement on this issue, the emphasis was on the misuse of fruit juice in infants and young children. But according to many experts, the increasing use of soda pop and other sweetened beverages is a greater nutritional concern for many children. "Nutrient-rich beverages such as milk and 100% fruit juice are being increasingly passed over for more enticing — and readily available — sweetened beverages", according to Jean Skinner, PhD, RD, a professor of nutrition at The University of Tennessee, who has studied the food and beverage habits of the same group of children from infancy through eight years of age. While researchers in 1997 reported that excess fruit juice may contribute to obesity and delayed growth in young children, subsequent studies found no such link. In fact, 100% juice contributes important nutrients and phytochemicals to the diets of young children. "Fruit juice is not the culprit for overweight children," said Skinner. Her research shows that as children grow up, fruit juices tend to decrease, milk intake stays about the same and other beverages, including pop and other sweetened beverages, increase. For instance, between the ages of 4 and 6, the children in her study decreased their juice intake by 31% while showing a 26% increase in soda pop consumption. Still, for some children overdoing fruit juice interferes with good nutrition. Not only does it replace milk, too much juice can dampen a child's appetite at meals and snacks. Juices such as apple, pear and prune are high in sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that can cause diarrhea in infants. The recent policy statement from AAP offers guidelines for the use and misuse of fruit juice in children's diets. You can access the full report at http://www.aap.org/policy/re0047.html References:
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| Source: Communicating Food for Health Newsletter, October 2001, Used with permission. Be sure to check out other great recipes and resources at http://www.foodandhealth.com |
Wormy ApplesJust in time for Halloween parties, the following fun recipe is a big hit with kids. 6 red baking apples,
cored and sliced
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The information contained in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for medical and/or nutrition advice. See your physician and/or registered dietitian for individual health and/or dietary concerns. |
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