Originally published June 28 2005
Nutritionists say healthy food more important to childrens' health than imposed regulations
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
As states seek to pass legislation preventing schools from selling junk foods to students, University of Illinois soy nutritionist Barbara Klein says promoting and educating about nutritional foods is a much more effective way to get children to make healthy food choices, reports Farm Week.
As a major health institute launches a new anti-obesity campaign emphasizing moderation over mandates, a University of Illinois soy nutritionist argues a healthy, tasty lunch can do more to combat childhood obesity than can regulation.
Juvenile obesity became an issue in 2004 farm policy discussion as the media questioned subsidies for corn used to produce sweeteners that some associate with childhood weight gain.
Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) current Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act would bolster nutrition education and encourage school fruit and vegetable consumption.
But it also would regulate in-school fundraising sales of "competitive foods" such as candy and ban school sale or advertising of "foods of minimal nutritional value."
Janet Napolitano has signed a measure making it illegal to sell candy and sodas in her state's schools, starting next year.
Connecticut lawmakers passed a similar measure, but Gov.
Jodi Rell argued such decisions "should be left to local school boards."
Klein has been gauging Illinois student response to addition of "soy-enhanced" ingredients to popular lunchroom staples such as spaghetti, chili, ravioli, and chicken nuggets.
In addition, she suggests soy protein could be used with dairy products to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol levels in childhood diets.
"We can show the schools ways in which they can do that using soy, not necessarily turning children into vegetarians.
The National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) "We Can" campaign, launched recently, focuses on teaching grade school children to choose nutritional foods, but does not advocate banning snacks or sweets.
An institute-sponsored study showed "kid-friendly" education helped 8- to 10-year-olds learn to eat healthier over a three-year period, although desserts, pizza, and other treats still comprise about a third of their diets.
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