When it comes to snacking on things such as candy bars, potato chips, or those sugar items that have little to no nutritional value and just pack on the pounds, why not replace it (or them as the case may be) with Juice Plus+ and about 16oz of water. Some studies have reported that we mistake our thirst quench for hunger pangs, meaning we think we're hungry when our bodies just need water. Juice Plus+® contains nutrients from a variety of fruits and vegetables, and although I can personally say that if I am on the go and don't have a piece of fruit available, I will take the Juice Plus+® capsules (and usually 2 extra).
With kids and their health, one of our biggest problems as a society is the junk food that is present in schools. While the best option would be to replace those items with fruits to snack on or eat during lunch, it is difficult to do considering the revenue and funding that is generated from the companies that make those items. The same can be said of the soft drink companies who often donate large sums of money in exchange for getting their machines in schools. (Doing this and losing money still builds their brand, gets kids hooked on those beverages, and in the long run creates more revenue than they initially may lose). Getting the junk food out of schools is one focus the first lady has for improving our childrens' health (and weight) --
According to Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack, "our children are eating too much sugar, salt, and fats and too few fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. This mix may help explain why one-half of the calories consumed by children ages 6-11 in this country are 'empty' calories." (read more...)
Comments: This is the best place to start (as NY Public Schools have learned), as that's where kids spend most of their time and where the biggest influence is in their lives. With many, if not most, households having both parents work full-time, there is less influence and time that parents spend preparing healthy meals and teaching good eating habits. Naturally, schools would be the biggest influence on their dietary habits. Even Coca Cola and Pespsi are starting to get the message, and are changing their labels to display calories count more prominently (this is where the majority of 'empty' calories come from!).
The Congressman is correct about what we need to improve on - more fruits and vegetables in our diets and less of the "junk". While Juice Plus+® can provide nutrients from a variety of fruits and vegetables, it is only a small part of what needs to be major change in the diet of a new America. Otherwise, as Dr. David Katz, Yale researcher among others have pointed out: a large majority of today's children will not out live their parents.
The Health & Wellness Institute
Official Juice Plus+® Independent Distributor
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