(NaturalNews) In addition to the normal aversions to fresh fruits and vegetables displayed by many young children, there are the pervasive TV and peer pressure enticements for sweet cereals, beverages, and stuff the cookie monster liked. TV advertising, especially, attempts to con parents into thinking those delightfully tasty items with cartoon figures displayed on their packaging contain healthy nutrients as well. Unless you consider food coloring and other toxic additives healthy, that's totally false. A diet of fast foods and processed cereals is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic among youngsters. Consequently, youngsters are plagued more by pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions than ever before. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS), also labelled corn syrup or sugar, is much unhealthier than sugar. But it has replaced sugar in most processed and junk foods. Many health experts consider HFCS, trans-fatty acid processed oils, MSG, and aspartame, as the leading sources of increased obesity and associated bad health in our modern world. It may help keeping the kiddies away from those toxic sweet tasting food-like substances if you don't take them to stores. Then you have the additional task of getting your children or grandchildren to eat healthier food. Healthier food for everyone demands lots of green leaf veggies and some fruits with a few nuts or seeds thrown in. Although it's best to go with organic, fresh produce, there are a few items you can get away with safely at lower costs. The most heavily sprayed with toxins are known as the dirty dozen; while 15 produce items not so heavily sprayed are known as the clean 15. They are both listed here. (http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/) Strategies to get children into fresh veggies and fruits You must lead by example and provide the environment conducive to choosing healthy foods. It's also wise to determine which vegetables your children do like, and then gradually bring in others instead of obsessing on the ones that are disliked. And there are a couple of approaches that could be pursued to eventually have children happily eating a full array of veggies and fruits. The keys are patience and persistence. A recent study determined that young boys liked corn while young girls favoured broccoli. Carrots, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes came in below them. You have to go a little out of your way to make sure your corn is not GMO, but occasionally organic corn on the cob shows up in the better stores. Get a bunch when they do. The study also determined using veggies to complement a main course creates more appeal. Light steaming or stir frying with some nifty easy recipes gains youthful favour too. Another study done at University College London used bribery for extremely young kids. They handed out tangible items such as stickers or heavily praised them whenever they ate a full course with vegetables that were not considered yummy. After a few short months, the kids continued eating those veggies on their own without the need for praise or prizes. Vegetables and fruits are vital for health, and there's no reason they should be entirely tasteless. A little basic culinary skill goes a long way, and so does a big salad. What a great way to get raw greens and other veggies sliced and diced with some added cold pressed olive oil and vinegar. Another aspect to gain flavourful respect for raw veggies and fruits is with green smoothies without dairy. A simple summer delight involves sliced organic cucumber with conventionally grown watermelon. Throw them into a blender with good water and blend. Here's more on green smoothies (http://www.naturalnews.com/035427_green_smoothies_recipes_health.html). Sources for this article include http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-07/wsw-nsr071312.php http://www.psychologytoday.com http://life.familyeducation.com/foods/nutrition/36595.html http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/ Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036548_kids_veggies_strategies.html#ixzz21JVbvwOz
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