Everyone is busy getting their kids back to school.  What a perfect time to take a little break and bring the kids to a Family Night that will mix fruits and vegetables and lots of FUN.  Nourish Interactive has been working with Fresh Choice to reach out to kids and promote healthy eating.  With September being National Childhood Obesity Awareness month, it is a reminder to us how important healthy foods and daily activity is for kids.

We are happy to let our San Mateo, CA and nearby Peninsula cities know that the Fresh Choice Restaurant in San Mateo will host its First Family Night.  Nourish Interactive will be there with nutrition education games to make fruits and vegetables fun for kids.

Click to go to Facebook Event Page!

Take a night off from cooking and enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables from their local farm while the kids have some fun learning about healthy food choices.

Just a few of the FREE & FUN nutrition activities for kids:

• Take a picture with Chef Solus
• Play Nourish Interactive Games- winner of Parents’ Choice Seal and Children’s Library Association Award
• Play tic-tac-toe   The vegetables versus Chef Solus
• Coloring fruits and vegetables while kids learn where produce really comes from!
• Spin the wheel, land on a fruit or vegetable and win a prize!
• Healthy eating out tips for parents to take home.
• Each child will have their name entered into a contest and have a chance to win a Wii game system.

Play the Yummy Drops Fruit Game and automatically get a FREE Kids meal coupon for Fresh Choice Restaurant!

More information:

Family Night event at Fresh Choice Restaurant in San Mateo, CA

Fresh Choice and Nourish Interactive Partnership

Nourish Interactive partnered with Fresh Choice!

A consumer watchdog group is threatening to sue McDonalds for placing toys in their Happy Meals. With the growing concern about our children’s lack of nutrition and healthy habits, McDonalds is now under fire.

The group is claiming that by placing toys in their happy meals, McDonalds is luring kids to want to eat their high fatty meals.  The group states that this is deceptive marketing practices and in violation of four state laws.

Well, there will certainly be arguments on both sides with many people blaming the parents for not just saying “NO”.  But I have to say, being a parent, I am not so quick to blame them.  I mean kids recognize the golden arches before they can even talk!  Now that says a lot about the marketing towards kids.  It is hard to fight millions of dollars of advertising.

Here in the Bay Area, Santa Clara was the first county to pass a law against putting toys in unhealthy foods.  Will this make a difference in kids choices?  It certainly won’t hurt.

We are facing a serious issue and just like everything else, it may mean some drastic measures.

Whatever happens, it probably won’t be soon (most likely).

Parents, you can prepare your children for eating out and setting some expectations.  For example, they could order the happy meal but must have milk instead of soda or fruit instead of french fries.  In other words. there is room for some healthy food.  And in all fairness to McDonalds, they do have some healthier choices.

Here is our printable  guide and tips that you could use with your child before you eat out.  Once you get there, it is much harder to set expectations.  Kids are much more negotiable when you are deciding whether you will take them there.  Use your leverage to vie for some healthy choices.

Think beyond the fryer

When eating out this week choose steamed, broiled or grilled dishes instead of greasy fried foods for your family. It’s a simple switch that will drastically cut your family’s saturated fat intake!

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Sugar on ice is not nice!

Beverages today are loaded with calories and sugar. Start this week by reading nutrition labels and choosing low-fat milk or water instead of soda or energy drinks.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Resources:

Reading food labels and understanding types of sugar

Sugary drinks include more than just soda

Recent study shows that sugary drinks are linked to childhood obesity

Concerns about energy drinks and kids

Sugar In Kids’ Fruit Juices Articles

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

There has been quite a bit of buzz about a new law passed in Santa Clara County in California.  The new law essentials bans restaurants from using toys to lure kids to meals high in fat, sugar and calories.

It is true that a toy does not make kids gain weight, it is the food.  And, yes it is also true that parents have the ultimately authority to not buy unhealthy foods for their kids.

But let’s face it.  this is marketing at its finest and parents need some help.  It is very challenging to combat the billions of dollars of advertising the food industry spends to entice kids to want their foods.  And adding that little extra toy only makes the meal that much more enticing.

I am not trying to make excuses for parents who can’t say no to their kids, but I understand that their job is not easy.  Kids can recognize the “McDonalds” golden archers before they can really talk!  I remember being a kids and wanting the cereal with the toy inside it.  I also remember how much my kids wanted the “Happy Meal”, not so much for the food but for the toy it was promoting.  Kids like toys.

There are so many studies showing how adding a fun character, game, or toy helps kids build a positive mind  association with that food.

So is the ban the ultimate solution,? No, but it can help.  We have a growing problem of unhealthy kids.  We are talking about heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and poor nutrition and it is going to take a great deal of creative organizations, laws and support from all areas of our society to change our current situation.

At Nourish Interactive, we believe strongly in early nutrition education for kids while they are still forming their food habits.   And helping kids build an association with fun and nutrition is also part of our mission.   We think it is important for kids to have fun while they learn about nutrition.  We hope our characters, nutrition games and fun nutrition activities are helping kids move towards healthy foods.

Related information:
California County bans toys in happy meals

I am happy to share with you some exciting news.  Nourish Interactive has teamed up with Fresh Choice Restaurants to promote healthy eating to kids.

To combat all the junk food marketing, we need to also provide fun “marketing” or education about healthy foods.  ie. “It is fun to eat healthy foods!”  That is our goal and by extending ourselves into this restaurant, we can work together to offer kids healthy foods while they are learning about healthy eating in a positive way.

We are very excited about this partnership because Fresh Choice is very much aligned with our goals to promote healthy eating in a fun and positive way.  Fresh Choice has their own farm and serves fresh produce as part of their daily menu.

I can honestly say, that when my children were young, we went to this restaurant because it was affordable, catered to families and their foods were nutritious.  You won’t find a 600 calorie burger at this restaurant.  But the selection is healthy and varied enough so that the kids and adults could all find dishes that were delicious.  That is not always easy to find as a parent.

And as part of our partnership,

• we will be promoting nutrition to kids in the restaurant through fun positive messaging.  For example, this month, kids will receive a free nutrition coloring page to enjoy as the family enjoys their meal
• offering a free kids meal coupon to kids that play the new Yummy Drops game (our new online game that promotes the fruit group. )

About our In-Restaurant Nutrition Education for Kids

We are starting with a farm to table education series.  It is surprising but many kids don’t really know where fruits and vegetables come from.  Our goal is to help them learn in a fun way where fruits and vegetables come from as they journey from the farm to the restaurant.  There is much research indicating that helping kids connect with fresh fruits and vegetables will peak their interest and taste buds to eat more of them.  We know that most kids do not get their adequate servings of fruits and vegetables and our mission is to change that.

And this is just the start.  We have lots of other ideas on how to reach out to kids during their restaurant experience to promote healthy food choices!

Look for Chef Solus and the produce bunch at the Fresh Choice Restaurant!

How to get your Free Kids Meal Coupon:

Just have your child play the Yummy Drops game (also available in Spanish) and then at the end of the game,  click on the link that says “Open your surprise”.   This will open a pdf that has a little maze game, certificate for being an Ace Pilot and delivering fresh fruits, and a free kids’ meal coupon for Fresh Choice Restaurants and Zoopa Restaurants.

Just print the kids meal coupon and bring it the nearest Fresh Choice or Zoopa Restaurant.

Located in the California, Washington and Texas (Find a Fersh Choice or Zoopa Restaurant near you)

“Farm Fresh Food Coloring Page” for kids- Fresh Choice “Fun Pages”

More About Fresh Choice and Why We Feel They Are A Great Partner

These were the characteristics about this Restaurant that really impressed me:

Fresh Choice is committed to healthy foods (See their menu for yourself):

• all their fresh fruits and vegetables come from local farms, including their own Fresh Choice farm
• their dishes are designed to use the seasonal fruits and vegetables, everything is fresh (really just picked)
• all their foods are well labeled and every dish has the calories listed to help patrons make informed portion selections
• Fresh Choice offers a very impressive spread of healthy foods, mostly great salads, vegetables and fruits
• their dips, dressings and desserts are all available in the low calorie versions
• they also have healthy pizzas! that taste great and kids love

Cater to families:

• they are very affordable for families
• they have a casual environment which is great for kids
• they work with the community to promote reading through their “Lettuce Read” program
• they support fund raising for schools

Fresh Choice commitment to the environment:

• participates in the ClimateSmart program to reduce greenhouse gases.  Their changes are estimated to reduce 8.8 million pounds of greenhouse emissions (equivalent to taking 731 cars off the road each year.)

Quick Resources:

Free Kids Meal Coupon- Play Game – get your free kids meal coupon, while your child hears some positive messaging about fruits

Yummy Drops Game in Spanish

Fresh Choice Partnership page

Fresh Choice Restaurant locations

Fresh Choice Menu

A new study published in Pediatrics was conducted using McDonald’s menus.  The research showed that when parents were provided with calorie information, they chose foods that were about 100 calories less per meal.   The study surveyed 99 parents of 3-6 years.  The researchers showed parents food items, half with calorie information and the other half without calorie information.

• On average, parents with calorie information would select a meal that had 102 calories less than if they did not have the calorie information

• An interesting side note, in this study there was no difference in the food choices parents made for themselves.

This is obviously a very small study and there is a lot of press discussing how this study is really hopeful in fighting childhood obesity.

I personally think this gives mixed results.  I am not trying to down play the importance of calorie information because I do believe that it will be helpful.  I have written several blogs on this topic and even I, myself, have changed my menu choices when I saw the calories!  So I do think menus should show the calories.

But my concern is that kids are learning from their parents, we are the role models.  So if this study shows that parents continued to choose high calorie foods despite the fact they chose a lower calorie option for their child, I think that is a big red flag.  Eventually when the child becomes more independent, they will probably choose food items similar to their parents’ choices.  AKA high calorie foods!

The child may also resent that they are given a “lower calorie option” while their parents are eating the higher calorie foods.  This could make them want their parents’ food choices even more.

So, my take away is simple.  Changing a child’s food choices and helping them form healthy habits starts with the family making a commitment to eat healthier.  Changing habits as a family doesn’t have to be this awful, depriving experience.  Gradually changing choices and setting small goals is the best way to change habits.  And finally, celebrating each small step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Here are more tips on how to work with kids to set goals and track changes, all in a fun and positive way.

Free Cute Friendly Goal Contracts

Free Kid Friendly Tracking Sheets

It always amazes me that we have to pass a law (and all the politics that entails) to do what is obvious common sense.

I read today the Senator Gellibrand is introducing a bill to help fight childhood obesity. The bill will:

• ban trans fats in meals served by schools that receive federal funding
• USDA would regulate all foods offered in school, banning soda and candy from vending machines
• increase the amount per meal by 70 cents so they can afford more nutritious foods
• the law, if passed, would give schools 5 years to comply

Hello! We know trans fats are really bad for you. So bad for your heart that the USDA recommends less than 1 gram be in your diet. Actually 0 grams is the goal. This came out in 2005!

I do applaud Senator Gillibrand’s bill if this is the only way to have our kids get foods without trans fats (in school).

But, I ask myself, why do we need a law to get passed- shouldn’t the schools just demand foods that are not made with trans fats? Can’t they fire their food vendor if they will not comply and hire one that gives them foods without trans fats? Won’t vendors provide what consumers (in this case- the schools) demand?

And why do we give them 5 years to comply. That is five years of kids eating foods we know are absolutely bad for your heart.

I say, write your senator! But that doesn’t help your kids today. Find out what kind of foods your child is being provided in your child’s school. (by the way, another word for trans fat is hydrogenated fats or oils)

Better yet, if you can, send them a home made lunch.

Share your opinion – leave a comment to let us know what you think about school nutrition policy and the new bill.

Resources:

Find your senator’s contact information

Does your child’s school have a Wellness policy?

Healthy lunch ideas (at the bottom of article)

Childhood obesity (and it related issues) is costing American taxpayers over $100 BILLION dollars A YEAR.

But of course, it is more than the money. It’s about our children being happy and healthy. It’s about giving them a chance to grow up without disease like diabetes and heart disease.

• It starts with helping kids learn about the importance of healthy eating.
• It also starts with patience and a positive approach as a family.
• It starts with changing your family’s eating patterns, one goal at a time.

Resources:

Free Printable Healthy Eating Goals

Free Printable Goal Tracking Sheets

Family – Healthy Eating Tips Sheets

For Kids: Play Free Healthy Nutrition Game Learn about healthy foods choices and the importance of daily activity- games and tools to help children develop healthy habits.

Nourish Interactive – The Fun Way to Learn About Nutrition!

I liked to share with you a little story:

My mother-in-law, I call her Ma, is always watching her calories and trying to eat healthy.  Her and my father-in-law, I call him Dad, went out to dinner one evening.  Dad looks over the menu and orders his usual favorite, a hamburger with fries.  Now Ma is not too happy about Dad ordering this high calorie meal, but she bites her tongue and carefully looks over the menu.  After a couple of minutes she decides that she has found a nice healthy meal, a chicken salad.

After they placed their order, she put down her menu and began to talk to Dad about how he should really order something a little healthier.  Afterall, he has to take care of his heart and high fat foods aren’t good for you.   Dad, gives her the brush off “Ahhhh, I eat what I like!”

To further her point, she grabs the menu to show him what a better choice he could have ordered, when she notices the back of the menu has the calories listed for each meal.  Wow, this is new.  She quickly looks up his burger and announces that it is almost 750 calories.  But what she did not expect was to find out that her salad was over 1000 calories!!!

I tell you this because we typically underestimate the calories in a meal and often times are misguided, thinking that a restaurant is putting in similar ingredients that we would use when cooking at home.  It is not that salads are unhealthy, but by the time they drown it in very high calorie dressing, bacon bits and other ingredients the calories can really start to add up.

So when eating out, teach your kids to ask for dressing on the side.  That way you can put in just the amount you need.

And as a side note, Ma says she would not have ordered the salad had she known the number of calories.  So despite all the political debate over whether to require restaurants to post their calories, I think it will make a difference.

Resources:  Family Restaurant Tips- Food Choices for Kids Healthy Nutrition

What do you think!