She should start a blog!
I just came across an op-ed piece she wrote that was published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in October last year. In it she works the argument that providing processed meat to children in schools is tantamount to schools handing out cigarettes.
Click the link above and see what you think of her arguments.
Me? I'm right beside her.
(the Heart and Stroke Foundation not so much as processed meats are still a category of foods to which they award their hellacious Health Check).
I wonder if she wants to move to Canada - we're looking for another dietitian!
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This is a great article, but if they really want to help us parents, it would be nice to see a definition of processed meats. I know that sounds stupid but are we just talking hot dogs and pepperoni or does this apply to anything at the deli counter (or just those items with nitrates?)
ReplyDeleteIf there was one thing that would make my life easier as a parent, it would be a "DO NOT FEED YOUR KIDS THESE ITEMS EVER" list. (I'm serious).
Fair comment Holly.
ReplyDeleteMy home?
We stay away from the obvious (the hot dogs, etc.) but also stay away from the deli counter.
That doesn't mean there aren't healthier choices at the deli counter and certainly deli meat sandwiches are easy, but given that labelling and research isn't as clear as it ought to be on what qualifies as "processed", it's easiest to simply avoid.
That said, we're not fanatics. If processed meats are the only option, no problem and even in our home on occasion we'll BBQ up a sausage or two.
That makes lunch time kinda hard doesn't it? Our school doesn't allow peanuts or dairy so if we cut out lunch meat as well, we're left with a lettuce sandwich. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere are healthier options for meat, too... my favorite is to buy a rotisserie chicken and cut up the meat, put portions into freezer bags, throw the skin and bones into a pot and make broth. Same idea with leftover roast, salmon morphed into salmon salad, meatloaf (Yummy! Meatloaf sandwiches!!), eggs, hummus for protein (which you can buy, premade). Not quite as handy for sure, but when it comes to a daily lunch, the choices we choose regularly make a big difference over time to our family's health. Even if we can choose the healthier options some of the time, if not all the time, it will be better for our kids.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous has some great ideas there and you can really make tuna/salmon salad or egg salad less boring by changing your add-ins - you can do plain old celery and mayo one time, or add in apples and curry powder... Change up the vegetables you add in the sandwiches and also the bread - you can do a pita, or a wrap...
ReplyDeleteThere is also a great product which was promoted by Julie Van Rosendaal, called Golden Peabutter, which is said to taste very much like peanut butter, only it is made from peas. Might be worth looking for when making those school lunches.
ReplyDelete