Originally published July 27 2005
Parents should stop using unhealthy treats as rewards
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Parents should stop rewarding their children with unhealthy foods, and society needs to stop marketing its unhealthiest foods to the youngest consumers, warns a commentary on rednova.com.
Last month, we saw what effect portion size has on what is consumed.1 This month, we see how powerful food can be on the internal chemistry of your children.
Researchers did blood tests on kids ages 10 to 14 (average age: 12.2), before and after they spent two weeks on a Pritikin residential program.2 There was no limit on the amount of food the kids could eat.
Obesity in kids and teens has doubled since the 1970s.3 Elevations in insulin, blood pressure and blood lipids are common in overweight kids.4 And although there is some confusion regarding diet plans and their emphasis on protein, carbohydrate and fat, I contend that most people know what is and isn't healthy.
The tired excuses we hear about how hard it is to eat right are just that - tired excuses.
Our culture shows love to our youngest by giving them the unhealthiest foods we produce.
For example, if you win a title, pass a test, or clean your room, you get cake.
The vast majority of the time humans have been on the planet earth, the food supply has been inconsistent at best and scarce at worst.
That is, there was no biological reason for animals to develop a "that's enough" gene concerning food intake.
Food for wild animals is also inconsistent, and at times scarce.
But put a wild animal in captivity, and if its food supply is not limited, it will eat itself to health problems - even death.
Rather than equating eating with having fun, the act should be considered a part of daily health and hygiene.
Surely the fun of a holiday can be structured around interaction, activity, games, gifts, and dialogue, rather than unhealthy food.
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