Back to School, Back to Junk Food?
by Joshua Rosenthal • New York, NY

For many parents September is another version of New Year’s. There are resolutions to have a better year and commitments to stay healthy or help kids stay healthy. Regardless of good intentions, these promises somehow become old news by the time mid-October roles around. What’s up with that?

Broken promises with our health and nutrition can be frustrating and disheartening. But don’t lose faith. Start by recognizing that transitioning from summer to September is a total lifestyle change. The weather changes, and so do physical activities and responsibilities. People tend to get very busy in the fall, getting organized and shuffling around from school to after school activities.

The intensity of this transition, even for children, can lead to disordered eating habits and cravings – particularly sugar cravings.

We all love sweet things. When you think about it, sugar is just a quick boost of energy. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that occurs naturally in foods like grains, beans, vegetables and fruit. When unprocessed, sugar contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and proteins.

But processed sugars are another story. The body must deplete its own store of minerals and enzymes to absorb table sugar properly. It creates a deficiency. It enters swiftly into the bloodstream and wreaks havoc on our blood sugar level—first pushing it sky-high, causing excita-bility, nervous tension and hyperactivity, then dropping it extremely low, causing fatigue, depression and exhaustion.

Many people don’t realize the emotional roller-coaster ride that accompanies sugar highs. But it’s important to remember sugar isn’t the whole problem. It’s the addictive cycle we have created by eating processed sugar, feeling the rush, crashing and then taking in more sugar to start the cycle again. If we are eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes whole grains and vegetables, we don’t need that energy boost from sugar.

School food is a big concern today for many parents. Children are eating more processed foods, like Pop Tarts, sugary cereals, candy bars and sodas from the vending machines; and donuts, pizza and French fries from the cafeterias.

If kids need a mid-afternoon snack they likely grab soda or candy to give them that zing of energy because these foods are available to them. The problem is, these accessible foods do not give our kids the sustainable energy or nutrients they need to fuel their active bodies and brains.

These processed foods are rich in simple sugars but deficient in minerals. Overconsumption of refined sweets and added sugars found in vending machine snacks has led to an explosion of hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes and childhood obesity. Because of the poor state of our children’s health, scientists predict that they are the first generation in American history to live a shorter lifespan than their parents.

When children eat a Pop Tart for breakfast, pizza for lunch, a candy bar and soda for a snack they are not void of calories or food, rather they are suffering from a form of malnutrition. Studies have shown that when children eat a diet rich in whole foods, they experience less brain fog, miss fewer days of school, have higher math scores and are good problem solvers because they are getting the nutrients to fuel their brains.

Food and nutrition is confusing. Even the most well intended parents are confused as to how to help their overweight, diabetic or hyperactive child. The answer is not that complicated.

The same thing that works for adults works for children too. They need to eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This transition can start slowly. Eating natural foods will taste bland when a child is accustomed to artificial flavors.

Parents can offer fresh foods and stock refrigerators and cabinets with fruits and vegetables instead of chips and cookies. Get kids involved in the food shopping experience too. Have them select three or four whole foods for their snacks and lunches. Take them to a farmers’ market so they can meet the farmers and learn where the food comes from.

With every meal, add a few greens or introduce a new fruit to their plate. If a child is completely opposed to eating broccoli, pour chocolate sauce on top at first, if that is more enticing to them. Do whatever it takes to get them to try healthier foods. It takes most people, both children and adults, three times of trying a new food before they really begin to enjoy it.

We all form our habits at a young age. If we want a healthier future, we can start at home, in our own communities, with our own children. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Joshua Rosenthal is the founder of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. The school teaches the pros and cons of more than 100 different dietary theories and offers students access to the world’s foremost authorities on health and nutrition. www.integrativenutrition.com.