A Thanksgiving Challenge & The Big Fat Problem

Do children come out of the womb screaming “give me soda…I want ice cream…cookie cookie cookie!”? Of course not, the truth is that we as adults are guilty for introducing these low quality, low nutrient, empty calorie foods into our children’s lives. I’ve heard of an experiment in which toddlers ages 2 to 4 were put in a play room which had two tables of food in which the children could partake without restriction. One table had cut up fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese cubes while the other table had chips, cookies, sugary fruit snacks. The experiment revealed that the children naturally migrated to the fresh fruits and vegetables without any adult interaction or coaxing.

In case you’ve not noticed, we have a big, fat problem here in the United States. More than 6 out of 10 people are classified as obese. I’d venture to say that only 1 or 2 people out of 10 are at a healthy weight. Our children are at risk like never before, with 1 out of every 3 children classified as obese. This means our children are on the fast track to developing a myriad of degenerative disease while they are still in their youth and for the first time in hundreds of years, a child born today has a greater likelihood of dying before its parents. We, the adults, are to blame. We set the example by how we eat. The poor food choices we make become the poor choices our children make by default. Our lack of self control and our gluttony become that of our children.

I was recently out for a morning run and I ended up running past an elementary school just before 8am. There were children walking to school and I was baffled to see two overweight children drinking soda pop as they were walking to school. I thought, who taught them to drink soda for breakfast? Most likely it was the adults in their lives.

I have recently attended several family birthday parties and I’ve been amazed as several of my nieces and nephews, who are all under the age 12, have wolfed down 3 bowls full of cake, pies, brownies, and ice cream in one sitting. Who teaches our children to behave this way? The adults in their lives are again guilty.

So as we head into the holiday season, tomorrow being Thanksgiving, the day most noted for total GLUTTONY, I challenge every adult to take some time and reflect on the example your setting for these precious little people who have been put in your stewardship. Consider what it means to truly love another person… does it mean you only want the very best for that person? Does it mean that you want that person to be the healthiest they can be, to be the best they can be? Does it mean you want to protect them from any harm or danger at any cost?

Life is precious and our bodies are a gift from our Creator. Children are a priceless blessing. Isn’t it time that we start taking our own health more seriously and that we set an example and teach our children to care for their bodies like the temple God created them to be? May we all care for ourselves and others in a manner that reflects the love and honor we have for our Creator and for ourselves.

Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving:

BE active – go for a walk, run, hike or ride a bike. Play a game – like football or Frisbee.
Participate in a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot – walk or run, push the baby in the stroller. It is a fun event for the whole family.
Eat sensibly prior to the Thanksgiving Feast. Have a balanced breakfast. Depending on what time the turkey dinner takes place have a balanced snack and/or lunch too.
Eat smaller portions of your favorite holiday foods. Eat to a point of feeling satisfied or just slightly full. You’ll know if you ate the proper amount if you are hungry again in 3 to 4 hours. Now you can take your second helping. If you are not hungry for 6 or more hours after your meal, then you overate in a BIG way.
Use smaller plates. Put your fork down between bites. Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.
Focus on family and friends and strengthening your relationships instead of focusing on the food & feasting.

Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving to you!

Melissa Guthrie

BSc Nutritional Science

BSc Exercise Physiology

ACE Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor

New Leaf Certified Metabolic Technician

Triathlete/Runner