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Eat Like a Kid Again Subsisting on only cereal and popsicles is a bad idea, but there are plenty of positive eating lessons children can teach us 
Kids have eating down pat – devouring bowls of cereal, baggies filled with raisins and countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Remember doing the same thing when you were young – and were subsequently thinner and happier as a result? Digestively speaking, it turns out you can go home again every time you eat by taking lessons from the younger generation, according to Marilyn Tanner-Blasiar of the American Dietetic Association, based in Chicago. “Kids don't seem to worry about eating,” Tanner-Blasiar says, currently a St. Louis. Mo.-based pediatric dietician. “They eat when it's time and move on, they don't fixate on it, they just fuel up and get on with things.” She says children teach us to eat smaller meals more often, to make snacking a priority and to learn to play again. “They also teach us to eat what you like,” Tanner-Blasiar says, “but remember limits like ‘no eating ice cream if you haven’t eaten your fruits and veggies.’” Take this kid-sized quiz to see if you’re on the right path to thinking smaller and healthier … and more fun. 1. At what age does a family’s eating behavior transition to a child? A. Three years old B. Five years old C. Nine-11 months old Answer: Nine – 11 months is usually when the transition from baby food to pre-portioned, pre-made containers occurs. At that point, kids begin to make their own decisions about how, when and what to eat. 2. True or false? An average 10-year-old male should take in as many calories as an adult female of average height and weight per day? Answer: True. A 10-year-old takes in 2000 calories (based on a 1000 calories at year one and 100 calories for every year after) and an adult female needs about 2000 calories, where an adult male needs about 2,500 calories a day. 3. Which one of these favorite snack time treats is bad for you? A. A mini-bag of popcorn B. A Jell-o pudding cup C. A couple of Fig Newtons D. Cup of applesauce/single-serve fruit cup Answer: That was a trick question. All of these snacks are low in calories and contain vital carbs, protein and vitamins. Just make sure to get the unsweetened applesauce for it to count for your daily fruit and veggie serving, the fruit cup packed in its own juices, low-fat pudding and to limit your number of Newtons as a fruit and fiber source. “They are pretty healthy, so enjoy them,” says Tanner-Blasiar. “Be like mom and keep the portion size (based on the label) in mind and just say no to the fruit pies and snack cakes.” |
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