Metropolisfitness- Fitness and Health Blog

How often do you take your kids for eating out? In a startling study, almost 90% of thousands of children’s meals at some of the biggest restaurant chains do not comply with the standards set by the National Restaurant Assn.’s for healthy kids’ meals. However, the study has some good news to share. In almost half the chains, at least one healthier meal is served. Also, about three-quarters of the restaurants served fruits and vegetables. 

Some of the most popular meals among children like a grilled cheese sandwich with fries, chocolate milk, pepperoni pizza, fries and soda, chicken nuggets, burgers, macaroni and cheese, etc. contain far too many calories and saturated fat that are not required for kids, resulting in high levels of obesity among children. One out of every three American children is obese, which is a matter of great concern. 

To tackle the issue, both the restaurants and the families need to come up with innovative, healthful children’s options. Parents need to be educated about the benefits of healthy eating for their children. Besides, the parents must set an example for their kids by eating healthy themselves and regular exercising. When you take your children out, do not ask them to choose items from the kids’ menu; instead give them healthy choices. A pot of vegetable chilly prepared at home is nutritious and tasty and can appeal to your children. 

The Washington-based CSPI regularly issues reports to the food industry to call out unhealthy food items. Restaurants have started realizing the importance of healthful meals and are joining the bandwagon of nutritious children’s menus. The food chains need to add more grilled items and other nutritional improvements at the same price points. They must eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages and fried foods from their menus for kids. 

Twenty years ago people used to eat out less; special occasions were reserved for eating out. However, in today’s fast-paced world, eating out has become rather a habit and people are spending more than 40% of their food budget on eating in restaurants. 

Next time you take your kids out, make sure to choose healthy meals for them.

The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics announced March 2013 as the National Nutrition Month with the theme, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day”. This implies that no matter which culture you belong to, you must eat a healthy, nutritious diet daily. 

On and off we all have holidays and fests upon us during which we love to feast with our family and friends. This is the time when some of us experience anxiety and fear of either eating too much of the sinful foods or not eating a particular food item so as to cheat on our diet. You don’t have to live your life like this anymore now. The dietitians and personal trainers at the Metropolis Fitness Club go with the scientific realization that there is no such thing as “bad food” or “good food”. The key is to know how much quantity to eat a particular food item. As an instance, if you choose to eat chocolate cake, you should make sure that you eat other food groups in the right quantity so that you meet your daily dietary nutrition. If you eat the right amount of the cake and compensate your day by eating grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, etc., you can have your cake and eat it too! 

Another important thing to understand is that if a particular food is considered as the best, for example, if you hear, “bananas are the best food to have”, this does not mean that you should gorge on bananas the whole day. This will make you malnourished because you also need other nutrients. 

Eat anything in moderation.

Always remember these 3 points:

1. “Good food” or “bad food” is a misconception.

2. Choose to eat in the right quantity.

3. Include grains, dairy, fruit, vegetables, meat/meat substitutes food groups in your daily diet.

Once you develop this habit of right eating, i.e., eating the right foods and eating everything in the right quantity, you will enjoy all your days without any guilt feelings. So, eat right and live wise.