Some Fat Chance -- Our Kids Become What They Eat (Don’t We All?)

    We're continuing our discussion on developing a healthy lifestyle within our families. This is information kids can take away with them as they grow up and get on their own. For now, though, exercise and good food help our students think better—whether we teach them at home or send them out the door to school. Either way, our children need the best so they can perform their best and thrive. 
    The next in this series, I'll mention a little on sodium and much on sugar. Are you ready for that?

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The Skinny on Fat


     Fat is necessary for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. That's good. Fat also supplies more than twice the energy as the same amount of protein or carbohydrate—all elements of healthy food. This is important for children, especially those under two years of age. They need higher energy from fat to meet increased growth demands.

     Fat is rich in calories and the extra calories, if not used, the body stores and 3,500 extra calories create one pound of body fat. Over a period of time, it all adds up. Watch out for fat-free foods because they don't mean "calorie-free". They supply extra, empty calories—food that is nutrient-starved, but it sure tastes good. Fat makes food taste good. That's what gravy on potatoes and meat can do. It supplies the fat in that meal and it's sumptuous.

     Since fat digests slowly, it provides a feeling of satisfaction after a meal. There is nothing wrong with dietary fat—in the proper amount. Most often, we consume too much fat—between 800 to 1000 calories (which is equal to one stick of butter) a day. The average family consumes 400 pounds of fat per year!

     Some of the fatty foods our kids eat are hamburgers, cheeseburgers, meat loaf, hot dogs, ham, processed luncheon meats, whole milk, ice cream, cheese and other whole-milk dairy products. Commercially baked goods and fried foods such as fried chicken and the favorite standby, French fries, often load up our kids with fat they don't need.

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     Think I'll go grab some lunch.  If you have questions and comments, talk to me. Pass the word about this blog and let others know what we're talking about.  Thanks.