The Harvard Medical School estimates that 9 million children in the United States are overweight. An overweight child who becomes an obese adult can have serious health complications. It's a parent's job to ensure that her child has the best start in life by getting nutritious foods. Part of that is minimizing her child's exposure to foods that are unhealthy and even unsafe.
Fried Potatoes
Whether they come as french fries, potato chips, hash browns or home fries, fried potatoes are high in fat and contain very few vitamins. A medium order of french fries at a popular fast food chain contains 410 calories, almost 50 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. Healthier alternatives include baked potato chips or oven-baked french fries, preferably sweet potato fries.
High-Sugar Breakfast Cereals
Cereal companies spend almost $156 million each year on television advertising that targets children, according to Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The center conducted a study of the nutritional values of the cereals and the marketing efforts around them. The study determined that the cereals that were targeting children contained an average 85 percent more sugar, 65 percent less fiber and 60 percent more sodium than other cereals. Nearly half also contained artificial food dyes. Children need a healthy breakfast to stay focused on their academics during the long school day, so give them the right start with oatmeal or farina topped with fresh fruit instead of these high-sugar cereals.
Hot Dogs and Bologna
Most children enjoy hot dogs and bologna because they pack a lot of flavor. They also carry high amounts of sodium and fats. A 4.1-oz. hot dog in a roll with ketchup contains 315 calories, roughly 19 g of fat, 35 mg of cholesterol and 990 mg of sodium. One slice of bologna contains 70 calories, 5 g of fat, 15 mg of cholesterol and 230 mg of sodium. Sodium, fat and preservatives are only part of the problem with hot dogs. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that one child chokes to death every five days in the United States. Hot dogs are the cause of 17 percent of those deaths in children younger than 10, according to the Washington Post.
Soda
Most children enjoy sugar-filled sodas. A typical 12-ounce cola contains 150 calories and 40 g of carbohydrates from sugar. The high sugar content and empty calories can contribute to a variety of health issues, including obesity and dental problems. Offer your children healthy drinks, such as milk and water.
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