At least that is what I’d really have liked to say today when I was at Costco. This lady had two children with her and they all decided they needed to get some food at the food court. I am not one to judge about that. After all, I do enjoy a crazy big slice of pizza and a yogurt on occasion as well. However, what this lady did was absolutely insane.
When this person ordered her food, I thought she must have a small army with her. Three hot dogs (which comes with three drinks), three slices of pizza, a chicken bake, a yogurt, and a mocha freeze. Now, I did mention that it was just her and the two kids, right? Well, her children were no more than 9-10 years old. So, who did all the food go to? Well all of them of course!
As you might have guessed, this lady was overweight, and her children were moving in that direction as well. Are the children to blame that mommy is overweight and has some cravings and doesn’t feel like cooking tonight? No, of course not! Hence the reason for the title.
Let me break down for you why this is so appalling to me:
- Chicken bake- over 1000 calories
- Slice of pizza- 805 calories!
- Yogurt- 285 calories (not bad, right?)
- Hot Dog- 550 calories.
- Mocha Freeze- 320 calories
Let’s assume that the kids only ate their hot dog and pizza and drank water (yeah right) with their meal. So, that’s only 1,355 calories in one sitting. Amazing! The kids had more than their necessary caloric intake for one day in a single 30 minute session. Further, where were the good healthy items in their meal? Well, if they had a combo pizza slice, then I guess you could kind of count the fat and grease covered onions and peppers. Or not!
It is this exact mentality and dining habit that causes so many of our youth to be overweight. We think that having a quick snack at a local convenience store or fast food joint will be okay if it’s just this one time. What about the next time? Do you convince yourself that everyone will just get something small so you can have a real meal later on when you’re at home? How often does that pan out?
Let me tell you one of my favorite ways to combat junk food binges and fast food stop-overs. It’s not an easy habit to learn necessarily, but it will save yours, and your kids, lives.
- Start your shopping in the fresh foods section
This means that you start where the veggies and fruits are. Buy local produce if you need. Corn and broccoli are extremely easy to prepare.
You can even get fresh chicken (though frozen or packaged isn’t the end of the world) and other lean meats here as well. - Fill your cart with as many perishable foods as you can. They’re not the cheapest, for sure, but they are the best bet you have against weight gain.
- Avoid what I call the “empty calorie” aisles.
No cereals, candies, desserts, or any frozen goodies. You know as well as I do that if chicken nuggets and pizza-rolls are in your freezer instead of green beans and broccoli that the quick and easy will win out every time. - Always cook more than you intend to eat.
Save the leftovers in plastic containers that the kiddies can take to school for lunches. This eliminates the need to stop at fast food chains and also provides for a much healthier alternative every time.
So, in closing I only want you to think of two things:
- Do you really need that extra 30 minutes that you could otherwise use preparing good foods.
- Is a lifelong battle with diabetes for your child worth the $5 you will save going to the fast food now instead of cooking at home?
Please people, stop killing your children!
Truly yours,
Jeff Barnes
on Twitter @MrJeff_Barnes
Facebook: Stop Childhood Obesity
www.MrJeffBarnes.com
www.stop-childhood-obesity.com
