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Please stop making nutrition complicated

I am constantly surprised by the answers I get when I ask a child the question, “What does eating healthy mean to you.” I frequently hear “not too many carbs” and “not eating trans-fats.” These complex nutrition ideas are far beyond the cognitive ability of a 10 year old to understand, let alone put into healthy practice. Yet that is what I hear time after time. As a society, we’ve flooded ourselves with nutrition misinformation and forgotten the simple fundamentals.

  1. They say, "Oh, great!  You can put me on a diet," then check my plate to see what I am eating.

  2. They immediately hide their food and say, "Please don't look at what I'm eating; I generally eat really well," then check my plate to see what I am eating.

  3. They immediately ask me four to seven rapid-fire questions about the latest and greatest diet  or new nutrition study, then check my plate to see what I am eating.

  1. Water. Your body is about 60 percent water and that number is higher in young children. The water in your body sustains life's functions in your brain, blood, lungs and kidneys. Your body is not made up of fruit punch, energy drinks or soda. It actually needs water.

  2. Energy. This comes from, believe it or not, carbohydrates.  Low carbohydrate = low energy. Try to make them healthy whole grains.

  3. Fruits and vegetables. In their whole form.  Eating them in their natural form maximizes their source of vitamins, fiber and minerals. Please step away from the apple juice, and grab the actual apple.

  4. Protein. Lean meat, fish, dairy, beans and nuts. You've got this one. I know it.

  5. Dairy (or non-animal substitute). For bone health and an additional source of protein.