Top 10 Worst Foods for Kids to Eat
One-third of all U.S. children are overweight or obese, according to the TeensHealth web page. The main cause is overeating, with little regard to the actual nutrition offered by the food. Changing eating habits is not easily done, but minor changes in the type of food consumed can quickly reduce the amount of calorie intake each day. Eliminating the worst foods is one way to improve kids' nutrition.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are high in fat and sodium and loaded with preservatives such as nitrates. The average dog has 464 calories with 32 percent of the daily fat, 15 percent of the cholesterol and 44 percent of the recommended daily sodium. This is balanced against the positive nutritional facts of 16 grams of protein and 8 percent of the daily dietary fiber. There are better alternatives for protein and fiber.
Soda
TeenHealth classifies sodas and energy drinks as "empty" calories that you don't need. The average soda has 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar in each 10-ounce can. Dr. Marjorie Fitch-Hilgenberg, assistant professor of dietetics at the University of Arkansas, states that soda should be treated as a dessert item, not the meal's beverage.
Sticky Candy
Candy is high in sugar, and sticky candy contributes to tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association.
Doughnuts
Doughnuts are in high calories and provide little nutritional value. Breakfast should provide nutrients to supply energy, but sugar pastries do little to provide such nutrients.
Prepackaged Lunch Kits
Registered dietitian Liz Weiss reports that lunch kits are high in fat, saturated fat and sodium and low in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Many of them contain half the daily allowance of saturated fat and all of the sodium necessary for the average adult.
Sugary Breakfast Cereals
Most non-vitamin fortified breakfast cereals have sugar, artificial flavors and coloring and little nutrition. The fiber and vitamins added during the cereal manufacturing can be supplied in better food choices, such as fruit.
Microwavable Prepackaged Dinners
These are convenient, but are high in fat, salt and preservatives. Not only are the dinners inadequate nutrition for growing children, they fail to teach children proper eating habits or how to prepare healthy meals. The average sodium content ranges from 700 to 1,800 milligrams for each dinner, an unhealthy amount for children to consume in one meal.
Juice Drinks
Juice is high in sugar content, calories and acid that destroys dental enamel. Dr. Fitch-Hilgenberg warns against drinking juices that are not 100 percent juice. Fruits are a healthier option since they also provide the necessary daily fiber and additional vitamins.
French Fries
French Fries are fatty and soaked in oil. The fat count for this food averages 18 percent of the daily fat requirement and 7 percent of sodium, with only a minimal amount of dietary fiber, protein and calcium.
Toaster Pastries
Pastries have the same bad effect as doughnuts: high sugar and low nutritional content. Also, many of them have preservatives that allow the product to be stored for a year or more.
References
- "What Should I Feed My Kids?" Ronni Litz Juilen, 2006
- ADA: Tooth Decay
- KidsHealth: Overweight and Obesity
About this Author
David B. Ryan has been a professional writer since 1989. His work includes four books, articles for "The Plain Dealer" in Cleveland and essays for Oxford University Press. Ryan holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Indiana University and certifications in emergency management and health disaster response.
Member Comments
by dbcp on January 26, 2010 at 6:59 AM
Where does the supposed average calorie count from a hot dog come from? When I look up calories for beef hot dogs, they are nowhere near that high.
by cosxjfan on January 26, 2010 at 7:16 AM
They are referring to the "normal" hot dogs. You know the ones with chicken, pork, and beef....?parts?....MMMMM, YUMMY!!
by MamaTristano on January 26, 2010 at 7:17 AM
I agree with you dbcp. We only eat all beef hot dogs, preferably kosher hot dogs. Hebrew National 97% fat free hot dogs are excellent and have a reasonable amount of fat and calories if you are in the mood for hot dogs. 45 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. You just have to know what to look for.
by marthasather on January 26, 2010 at 7:52 AM
Knowing what to look for is the key for sure. There are, unfortunately, many people who haven't been taught to read labels and to know what to look for. The cheapest foods are usually the worst. So, if folks are on a tighter budget (which many are right now), they're going for the less expensive foods...and that's when you have to be careful. I highly recommend Trader Joe's if there's one in your area. Most everything I've read the label on there is safe. I don't worry very much (if at all) about the foods I find there. Also, I've found that Costco seems to be aware of the need for healthier alternatives and they have many good options as well, including several organic choices.
by chickiemaui on January 26, 2010 at 7:53 AM
I think it was just talking ab the cheapest, average hot dog. I hate hot dogs but my son loves them so we buy turkey dogs, they are low fat and are not any part of red meat which we stay away from. My husband and I are vegetarians so we buy Morning Star.
by AJWolverine on January 26, 2010 at 7:54 AM
So where are the healthy alternatives? It drives me crazy to read articles like this about what we're doing wrong as parents without providing viable alternatives.
by Sonomarko on January 26, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Like anything else, it's all about moderation. If kids or adults eat very healthy for say, six days a week, an occasional hot dog is fine. I agree with Martha, Trader Joe's has a great variety of very healthy choices at incredibly reasonable price. Costco is also good, and the Kirkland label has brand name products inside, unlike many grocery store private labels.
Two other health notes, drink more water and get fiber through raw veggies and fruits.
by kirstendietz on January 26, 2010 at 8:02 AM
Man, I grew up eating all this stuff! I'm not close to overweight or obese, but I've always felt sluggish and tired. Since I've gotten married I've been eating a lot more fresh food and less prepared stuff, and I feel so much better overall. I definitely won't be feeding my kids prepared, sugary stuff, if I can help it. The only downside is that healthy and fresh stuff is more expensive and it's hard to find coupons for it, but you can pay now or pay later. Fresh food now or doctors bills later?
by wink212 on January 26, 2010 at 8:40 AM
Even "normal" hotdogs are not even 1/4 of those calories. This is just a scare tactic. There is nothing wrong with feeding these things to your children just do so in moderation. My children may get donuts as a once every couple months treat. Of course you can't feed this stuff to them everyday but totally forbidding these things will only cause them to overdo when they are given these things. Also, how is a classical music conductor qualified to write about this stuff?
by OrBeAPumpkin on January 26, 2010 at 9:02 AM
I really don't think this is a helpful article at all :/
by ktwbc on January 26, 2010 at 9:56 AM
What's the point of giving information for a "10 ounce can of soda"??? Where have you even seen a 10oz can? Try 12oz or more likely 20oz bottles (which is all you can buy in vending machines and 7-11's anymore)... maybe the newer little 8oz 100-calorie cans which are an anomaly at best - -but 10oz?
by dangitjess on January 26, 2010 at 10:37 AM
This reads like it was written in England.
by nicnacdc on January 26, 2010 at 12:30 PM
AJWolverine: There is no need to post 'substitutions' for these products. Drink water instead of juice and take soda completely out of your diet. Feed your kids fresh fruit instead of the toasted pastries and doughnuts. Cut out candies altogether. I'm not trying to attack, I just don't think you thought it through. Please, feel free to ask more specific questions, and I'm sure there are parents that will have ideas for you. My kids snack on carrots, bananas, apples, etc. They only drink water throughout the day. We drink juice maybe once a month and they have never had soda (they are 8, 6, and 21 months). If you never give a child these things, they won't miss it. If you have already given it to your child, then it may take a little while for them to get used to a new way of eating, but it's not impossible. Good luck! :)
by jenhaddy on January 26, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Kids will eat what they see you eat.
by crhilton on January 26, 2010 at 2:12 PM
If I eat a hot dog, it's the regular kind: They taste better. Beef hot dogs are nasty.
Surely their estimate included the bun and typical condiments. That'd be one huge fatty hot dog to break 400 calories without the bun!
by lady_kayla on January 26, 2010 at 4:06 PM
"Doughnuts are in high calories and provide little nutritional value. Breakfast should provide nutrients to supply energy, but sugar pastries do little to provide such nutrients."
DO PEOPLE SERIOUSLY EAT DOUGHNUTS FOR BREAKFAST???
i have them for dessert. about once a month. is this a typo, or has the world gone mad?????
by ajarofclay on January 26, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Good ol' Oscar Meyer "parts" hot dogs are only around 100 calories as is a bun. Onion, relish and mustard amount to just about zip so I think the calorie count is about half of what the say unless you get one o' dem big ol' monsters.
by alopez527 on January 26, 2010 at 4:11 PM
This is bogus. I can get the kids to eat fruit but veggies besides beans and sweet potatoes is another story
by tdearmon on January 26, 2010 at 5:17 PM
What about French Fries that you cook at home in the oven? I eat those far more than the french fries at restaurants. This article doesn't specify eating out and eating at home.
I never had soda when I was younger, but I saw both my parents drink it. What happens when you see parents eating or drinking stuff you want? They grow up and eat/drink the same things that the parents ate. It happened to me.
by beichan on January 26, 2010 at 7:21 PM
"What about French Fries that you cook at home in the oven? I eat those far more than the french fries at restaurants."
Potatoes are still a very starchy, empty, high glycemic index food, in the category of white rice and white bread. Try sweet potato fries. Sweet potatoes don't spike insulin levels like white potatoes do and they are much more nutritious overall. Remember, almost every time, the more colorful the vegetable, the more nutritious it is.
by agatha101 on January 28, 2010 at 1:36 AM
Actually Beichan potatoes are a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients, so a fantastic food for children (just not as French fries). Unless children are seriously obese (and on a physician monitored plan) they definitely need healthy carbs in their diet. White bread and rice is actually preferable for very young children as "whole" alternatives don't provide enough calories.
by AJWolverine on January 28, 2010 at 5:41 AM
nicnacdc, My point has nothing to do with specfics. It's annoying to read any article all about what NOT to do. It's simply not helpful. What would be helpful is providing solutions.
As for specifics, I can't imagine anyone who's sought out this website believes doughnuts are an appropriate breakfast food or hasn't bypassed candy for fruit. Let's skip past the obvious. How about suggestions quick and easy dinners as well as school lunches?
by pandaluv on February 2, 2010 at 9:18 PM
but i like poptarts :(
by Harshul on February 5, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Of course you can't feed this stuff to them everyday but totally forbidding these things will only cause them to overdo when they are given these things.
http://www.harshulayurpharma.com
by Joyrider7 on February 6, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Hey, we all know this list of "food" is cr*p so why are parents giving it to their children. No wonder they are obese, have ADHD, diabetes, no energy. You need to FEED your body nutritionally in order to stay healthy. It all boils down to YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT so if you're eating the items listed above, they are all DEAD junk foods. No wonder our health care system is a mess. We need more education, less junk food ads on TV, and parents using their brains.
by lovemygrey2 on February 7, 2010 at 4:24 AM
Great reminder for parents!
by FaithWatson on February 8, 2010 at 10:45 AM
AJWolverine, I searched "healthy foods for kids" in the search bar at the top of this page, and here are some links from articles here on Livestrong.com which you might enjoy. There were tons more, too. Sometimes the titles are very specific, (don'ts as well as dos) but the library here is pretty vast, and growing all the time. Different people have different uses for the information, and look for it from different angles.
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http://www.livestrong.com/article/32857-present-foods-kids/ />
http://www.livestrong.com/article/78877-children-eating-habits/ />
http://www.livestrong.com/article/74212-teach-children-eating-habits/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/80710-heart-foods-children/