Good nutrition is a key component in a child’s ability to grow and learn, and according to recent guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents and school administrators must begin to take a more practical approach toward child nutrition and consider the whole diet rather than simply amounts of sugar and fat consumed.
The guidelines are different from those in previous years which focused solely on what children shouldn’t eat instead of what they should. Robert Murray, M.D., FAAP, and lead author of the policy statement suggests no ingredient should be banned from a child’s diet.
“A small amount of sugar or fat is okay if it means a child is more likely to eat foods that are highly nutritious,” said Murray.
5 Steps to a Healthier Diet
The paper, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, promotes a healthy overall diet that uses small amounts of fat, sugar and salt to make healthy foods more appealing to children. It also offers a five-step approach parents and school administrators can use to ensure healthy eating:
Start with the Five Food Groups
It’s still important to select a mix of foods from the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins (such as lean meats, fish and eggs) and low-fat dairy products.
Variety is Key
Throughout the week, parents and teachers are encouraged to provide a wide variety of different foods from each group so that all essential nutrients are covered and so that kids stay in the habit of eating nutritious foods.
Avoid Processed Foods
Although not every school or family budget will allow a diet of only natural, organic foods, parents and staff are encouraged to stay away from processed foods as much as possible.
A Give and Take Approach
According to the new recommendations, it’s acceptable to use a small amount of sugar, fat and salt, as long as it helps a child eat healthier, more nutrient-rich foods. For example, a bit of creamy ranch dressing can be made as a side to sliced vegetables or a little maple syrup can be added to oatmeal.
Watch Those Portions
Parents and school administration should make sure to serve appropriate-sized portions for the child’s age. Portion control is a critical part of weight management and a healthy body.
Improving Nutrition within Schools
Since 2004, when the pediatric organization last issued school nutrition guidelines that led to a nationwide restriction of sugary drinks sold in schools, progress has been made on improving school lunches as well. However, in many school across the nation, there is still a prevalent supply of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods from students who bring their own lunches and snacks, which points to the need for new initiatives that educate parents to become more aware of health when packing lunches and serving family meals at home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Scarier is the fact that it has more than quadrupled in adolescents. In 1980, 7% of children aged 6-11 years old in the United States were classified as obese. That percentage spiked to nearly 18% in 2012.
These new guidelines are aiming to tackle this epidemic and make child nutrition the focus for schools and parents alike.
