One-third of all U.S. children are overweight or obese, according to the TeensHealth web page

What kind of grade would you get as a parent for how well you’re feeding your children?

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.  (Psa. 127:3; NLT)

For any of us over 50, the number of obese children we knew growing up was very few. There might have been one or two in the entire school who was what we would call obese. A few others were overweight but again that was the exception rather than the rule.

Now, I see the latest statistics for overweight children has become a significant cause for alarm, in that one third are overweight or obese. Frightening statistics, especially in light of the fact that the main cause is due to what these children are putting in their mouths!

I’ve published the five worst foods for anyone to eat in previous posts. Today’s article highlights the ten worst foods for children to eat. BTW, four of the worst foods for anyone to eat are found on this list of ten. Fried seafood was not on the list for children, probably since that’s not something they eagerly chow down. I learned about this list from a website called Livestrong.com written by D.B. Ryan.

1. Hot Dogs Hot dogs are high in fat and sodium and loaded with preservatives such as nitrates and nitrites.
2. Soda TeenHealth classifies sodas and energy drinks as “empty” calories that you don’t need. The average soda has 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar in each 10-ounce can.
3. Sticky Candy Candy is high in sugar, and sticky candy contributes to tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association.
4. Doughnuts Doughnuts are in high calories and provide little nutritional value. Breakfast should provide nutrients to supply energy, but sugar pastries do little to provide such nutrients.
5. Prepackaged Lunch Kits Registered dietitian, Liz Weiss, reports that lunch kits are high in fat, saturated fat and sodium, and low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Many of them contain half the daily allowance of saturated fat and all of the sodium necessary for the average adult.
6. Sugary Breakfast Cereals Most non-vitamin fortified breakfast cereals have sugar, artificial flavors and coloring, and little nutrition. The fiber and vitamins added during the cereal manufacturing can be supplied in better food choices, such as fruit.
7. Microwavable Prepackaged Dinners These are convenient, but are high in fat, salt, and preservatives. Not only are the dinners inadequate nutrition for growing children, but they fail to teach children proper eating habits or how to prepare healthy meals. The average sodium content ranges from 700 to 1,800 milligrams for each dinner, an unhealthy amount for children to consume in one meal.
8. Juice Drinks Juice is high in sugar content, calories, and acid that destroys dental enamel. Dr. Fitch-Hilgenberg warns against drinking juices that are not 100 percent juice. Fruits are a healthier option since they also provide the necessary daily fiber and additional vitamins.
9. French Fries French Fries are fatty and soaked in oil. The fat count for this food averages 18 percent of the daily fat requirement and 7 percent of the sodium, with only a minimal amount of dietary fiber, protein, and calcium.
10. Toaster Pastries Pastries have the same bad effect as doughnuts: high sugar and low nutritional content. Also, many of them have preservatives that allow the product to be stored for a year or more.

Prayer Power
Father, we are so grateful for children. May we seek You in all ways of providing the best care for them.

Link of the Day
Over weight & Obesity
http://kidshealth.org/parent/food/weight/overweight_obesity.html#

Blessings on you as you purpose to feed your children with healthy, God-made food.

Photo by ripkas