Today, I would like to share with you a couple of concerns I have been having as a doctor and a mother of two kids. The first issue that has been bothering me lately is: what are my children eating all day? I watch my daughter grimace every morning as I pack her lunch-box with fruits and veggie snacks; while my 2 and a half-year old son has already developed an obsession with macaroni and cheese. I often talk to other parents about the challenges they face, as the school officials are making a great effort to introduce healthy snacks instead of processed, sweet, and fattening food. Still most children choose the old and familiar, “evil” options. At the end of the day, tons of precious fruits and vegetables are tossed away, while our children continue to eat poorly in school and to gain weight. I have finally realized my mistake: it is not me or the teachers who should be making healthy food choices. It’s the children themselves who should!
