Category Archives: Health Headlines

Articles pertaining to health, fitness, wellness, and obesity..

Healthy Tip # 205

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Another healthy tip courtesy of Ramona Braganza

waterbottle“The key to staying energized is to stay hydrated! Drink fluids before a workout, during and after a workout and your body will work harder to burn more calories. Studies have shown that being as little as 2% dehydrated can zap energy and make you perform with less intensity. Besides drinking water, a favorite for me during workouts is vitamin water. Two new flavors to try are power-c and revive, which also offer C and B vitamins, additional vitamins and electrolytes.”

- Celebrity fitness trainer, Ramona Braganza. Ramona has helped train celebrities including Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Halle Berry and others.

Preserving Freshness: Canned Fruit And Vegetables

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healthyFruit and vegetable processors flourished in the recession as cash-strapped consumers substituted fresh food with cheaper, premade alternatives; however, with the economic recovery underway, the industry will struggle to stay afloat. For these reasons, industry research firm IBISWorld has updated a report on the Canned Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry in its growing industry report collection.

The Canned Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry suffered from declines in demand for canned fruit and vegetables during the five years to 2013. “As the price of vegetables increased, industry operators passed costs on to consumers by raising their product prices to maintain profitability,” IBISWorld industry analyst Jeffrey Cohen says. Consumers responded by purchasing fewer products. Although household disposable income increased slightly during the five years to 2013, consumers increased purchases of fresh produce instead of demand for canned fruits and vegetables because canned goods are perceived as less healthful. Also, improvements in transportation and storage technologies made fresh produce more readily available, which increased competition from fresh produce. As a result, revenue is estimated to decrease at an average annual rate of 2.2% to $37.0 billion in the five years to 2013, including a 2.5% decline in 2013.

Because produce suppliers benefit more from selling to the fresh produce market, they allocate fewer fruits and vegetables to industry processors. Therefore, prices for inputs to canned products are rising, causing companies to look abroad for lower-priced inputs. As competition from importing countries increases, demand for industry products will decrease. “To attract more consumers, industry operators introduced products with reduced sugar and sodium contents,” Cohen says. This caused an increase in demand for fruit and vegetable juices, enabling profit for the Canned Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry to expand.

The Canned Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry has a low level of market share concentration. Currently, the industry’s top four companies are Campbell Soup Company, H.J. Heinz Company, Del Monte Foods Company and Kraft Foods Group Inc. Because this industry covers a variety of product segments, it is difficult for a single player to control a large piece of the overall market. Therefore, about three-quarters of industry revenue is generated by small to medium-sized companies.

In the five years to 2018, increases in the prices of fruits and vegetables, and household disposable income will push consumers to purchase more fresh produce rather than processed produce, contributing to the industry’s slow decline. Competition from imports is projected to increase as low-cost operators sell products at cheaper prices and as the dollar appreciates slightly, making foreign goods less expensive. As the industry experiences hampered profit margins, the number of enterprises is anticipated to fall in the five years to 2018. Overall, revenue is forecast to decline during the period. Because the industry’s products are staples of the American diet, this decline will be gradual. For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Canned Fruit and Vegetable Processing in the US industry report page.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

Reducing Childhood Obesity By 20%

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boyjumpingropeFrom Your Health Journal…..”I read an interesting article I wanted to promote written by Carol Mulligan of Sudbury Star entitled Reducing Childhood Obesity By 20%. In a Canadian suburb called Sudbury – politicians, groups, and individuals are being asked to work together to reduce childhood obesity by 20% in the next five years. Looking at the feedback from the article already, not much sympathy as one individual did not want to see limited tax money being used on this, while another said simply allow your kids to go outside to play more! But, it is not always that simple. Childhood obesity is on the rise all over the world as well as illness associated it such as cancer, heart disease, asthma, weak joints, and type 2 diabetes. Change is needed, as well as education of both parent and child. Please visit the Sudbury Star web site (link provided below) to read the complete article.”

From the article…..

The Sudbury and District Health Unit has given itself a B on a report card rating its performance in three key areas to reduce the number of overweight and obese children.

The health unit’s medical officer of health, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, was a member of the Healthy Kids Panel, which released a report in March called “No Time to Wait,” with 23 recommendations to tackle childhood obesity.

The unit gave itself an A for creating healthy communities, a B for offering programs and services to start children on the path to health and a C+ when it comes to changing the food environment.

While the report was commissioned by government, the panel doesn’t intend to wait for the province to act to address childhood obesity.

The health unit presented its report card Thursday to the Sudbury and District Board of Health, and sought its support to get working on the challenge.

The board passed a motion asking for the SDHU to be named one of 10 pilot communities in which a program will be tested to reduce childhood obesity.

Sudbury has higher than average rates of childhood obesity, with about 29% of children aged 12-17 overweight or obese versus the provincial 21%.

Obesity rates are higher among boys than girls, and among aboriginal children.

The health unit will aim to reverse the trajectory of obesity rates steadily increasing over 30 years. That could be because we are eating calories equivalent to an extra meal a day, registered dietitian Leslie Andrade told the board.

Obesity affects children’s mental, physical and emotional health, said Andrade, and requires urgent and immediate reaction.

The Healthy Kids Panel identified a three-pronged approach and it was those measures against which the SDHU measured itself.

The SDHU has adopted a balanced approach philosophy it aims to integrate into its healthy weights, healthy eating and active living programs.

That philosophy acknowledges the importance of eating well, being active and having positive self-esteem, said Andrade.

“If someone has a low self-esteem, the evidence does show they’re more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies and more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviours that can lead to overweight and obesity,” said Andrade.

To read the complete article…..Click here

Where Are Worried Parents To Turn If Their Child Is Obese?

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doctorglobeFrom Your Health Journal…..”An interesting article from Ireland in a publication called the Independent that I wanted to promote. It brings up the interesting question for parents…..Where Are Worried Parents To Turn If Their Child Is Obese? Childhood obesity is on the rise all over the world as children are showing risk factors for heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, weak joints, and asthma. The reduction of physical activity, increase of sedentary lifestyle which includes technology, as well as poor diet have all contributed to this growing concern. But, where should a parent turn to for help? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Your child’s pediatrician
2. The school nurse, principal, or PE teacher
3. A nutritionist
4. A dietician
5. A grandparent
6. A coach
7. A family role model

You get the point. A parents objective in this situation is to have long list of supporters who may be able to help an overweight or obese child. Once this is in place, then parent and child can become educated on lifestyle changes that may help them get on the path to a healthier lifestyle. Please visit the Independent web site (link provided below) to read the complete article.”

From the article…..

Where do you go and who do you turn to if your child is overweight or obese? Apparently, parents have little or no services to turn to. This startling fact was revealed at the launch of the INDI (Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute) Nourish Children Week in Dublin.

This lack of services is particularly worrying when, according to figures from the national Growing Up in Ireland survey, one-in-four of the 30,000 primary school children in this country are either overweight or obese.

The school yard is a jungle for all kids. The last thing a child needs is to be singled out for their weight. Overweight children often complain about bullying in school. This, on top of their already fragile self-esteem, is a dangerous combination.

Nourish Children Week is aiming to highlight the lack of HSE childhood obesity services. Dietitian Richelle Flanagan, INDI’s president, said there is a dearth of services despite child obesity now reaching epidemic levels.

“73pc of the country doesn’t have access to a child obesity programme and 88pc of the country doesn’t have access to a group intervention programme when kids are already obese,” he says.

The INDI presented a map of Ireland which showed that just three HSE childhood obesity prevention programmes exist across seven counties, along with two group treatment programmes that cover three counties.

To read the complete article…..Click here

Teen Moms At Greater Risk For Obesity Later

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pregnantFrom Your Health Journal…..”An article from The University of Michigan Health System reveals in a new study that women who give birth as teenagers more likely to become overweight or obese later in life. Many used to think that teenagers who gave birth had to ability to bounce back quickly, as they were younger and more active. The study suggests women who give birth as teens are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese later in life than women who were not teen moms. Please take the time to visit the University of Michigan Health System web site (link provided below) to read the complete article/study.”

From the article…..

Women who give birth as teenagers more likely to become overweight or obese later in life

A new study debunks the myth that younger moms are more likely to “bounce back” after having a baby – teenage pregnancy actually makes women more likely to become obese.

Women who give birth as teens are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese later in life than women who were not teen moms, University of Michigan Health System researchers found.

The nationally representative study, which is the first believed to identify teen pregnancy as a predictor of obesity, appears in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

“When taking care of teen moms, we often have so many immediate concerns — child care, housing, school, social and financial support — that we don’t often think of the long term health effects of teen pregnancy,” says lead author Tammy Chang, M.D., MPH, MS, a clinical lecturer in the department of family medicine at the U-M Medical School and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar.

“For the first time, we’ve identified our youngest moms as a high risk group for obesity, which we know to be one of the most debilitating, long-term health issues we face.”

The study was based on data from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a national study designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States.

After controlling for factors such as race, education, and socio-economic indicators, researchers found that women who had first given birth between the ages 13-19 had a 32 percent higher risk of obesity than women who had given birth at age 20 or later. The findings also showed that a significantly fewer number of women with a teen birth were normal weight compared to women without a teen birth.

To read the complete article…..Click here

Combatting Cat Allergies

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By Lynn Thompson

catstretchingFrom itchy eyes to severe asthma attacks, is having a cat worth the hassles?

Soft, beautiful, and easier-care than dogs, cats are also better for smaller homes. But if they send you into sneezing fits or a life-threatening asthma attack, can you ever live with them?

From my experience, yes. Asthma almost killed me in childhood. Even as an adult, just entering a home with a cat caused an attack. But now I’ve lived with cats for more than 20 years. With precautions, you may also enjoy a feline companion.

Different people, different allergy triggers. But female cats emit less dander than males, adult cats less than kittens. Among purebreds, Siberians produce less allergy-inducing protein in their saliva. For allergies triggered by hair, the Rex breeds shed less. Sphinx cats, with no coat, need frequent bathing that also removes allergens.

There are much better antihistamines now than in my childhood. Allegra, Zyrtec, and Claritin are even available over the counter. Switch them from time to time, as you build up a tolerance to one. If they make you drowsy, try taking them just before bed. Allergy shots help some people, but they can take a couple of years to become effective.

On the prescription side, Singulair is a godsend for asthmatics. A steroid inhaler twice daily helps keep emphysema from progressing.

But you can’t just drug yourself to live with cats. Your entire house has to be addressed.

But you can’t just drug yourself to live with cats. Your entire house has to be addressed. Keep your cats indoors. Outside, they pick up pollen on their fur. Cat dander’s bad enough, you don’t need an additional allergen making things worse!

Frequent vacuuming with a HEPA-filter vacuum is essential. Dyson, Bissell, Eureka, Orek, and Shark make units specifically to address pet hair. Vacuum at least weekly. Daily: even better. Not just the floors, but all the places your cats like to lounge. Added bonus: this helps with flea control!

As much as you love sleeping with them, you should ban the cats from your bedroom. Can’t do this? Launder bed linens in hot water at least weekly. If your machine has a sanitizing or allergen-fighting steam cycle on it, use that.

Air cleaners work wonders in the cat’s rooms of your house. The filter-type ones like Honeywell, Blueair, or Hamilton Beach work great and can cost less up front, but require frequent filter replacements. The filterless CritterZone cleans air on the molecular level and needs no replacement filters.

familyvectorSalt lamps help by emitting ions that bind with dust in the air, making it settle. You’ll have to dust frequently, but you’re doing that anyway when you vacuum, right?

There are also products on the market to put on your cat’s fur or add to their food that reduce dander. They come in shampoos, sprays, serums, and wipes.

While any of these approaches alone lessens cat dander, a multi-pronged approach using all of them provides the best environment for living with a cat. It’s certainly worked for me!

- Lynn Maria Thompson is a professional writer, editor, speaker, and online retailer. She also sells products for cats and cat lovers at OldMaidCatLady.com.

Weight Loss Market In U.S. Up 1.7% To $61 Billion

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bigpantsMarketdata Enterprises, Inc., a leading independent market research publisher of “off-the-shelf” studies about service industries since 1979, has released its biennial 420-page study: The U.S. Weight Loss & Diet Control Market (12th edition). This is a complete analysis and forecast of ALL ten major segments of the U.S. diet market.

“America’s estimated 108 million dieters—about 82% of whom try to lose weight by themselves, are hunkering down. The new diet season, which starts January 1st and ends around Memorial Day, is off to a slow start this year. First, none of the major diet companies has anything that compelling or radically new. Secondly, we have a very weak economy, high gas prices and rising payroll taxes. Bad winter weather and many snowstorms in the Midwest and Northeast didn’t help weight loss center attendance either. Celebrity endorsements can go only so far in this environment.”, according to Research Director, John LaRosa.

Major Report Findings:

Market Size

Marketdata estimates that the total U.S. weight loss market grew just 1.7% in 2012, as most market segments were flat or marginally up. Revenues were $61.6 billion in 2012, and $60.6 billion in 2011, (up 3.8% from $58.4 billion in 2010). Revenues are forecast to grow 2.6% in 2013.

Do-it-yourself Dieters

Dieters shifted toward greater use of free and low-cost do-it-yourself diet plans, (diet websites, OTC diet pills, meal replacements and diet books). Marketdata finds that the share of dieters that prefer a self-directed program is now 82% during 2012— near the highest ever. Historically since 1989, about 70% of dieters have used a self-directed plan, but this share has risen due to the last recession.

Commercial weight loss chains

Sales by all commercial weight loss centers were flat in 2012—no growth. Marketdata analysts estimate this segment at $3.42 billion, and we expect 2.7% average annual growth to 2016. Weight Watchers and NutriSystem revenues were flat in 2012, while Medifast was up and Jenny Craig declined to an estimated $343 million.

MLM Rules As A Sales Method

Multi-level marketing has emerged as the growth engine for weight loss companies–Not franchising–Not adding more company-owned centers. This non-traditional method of selling via hundreds of thousands of “independent contractors” or “distributors”, is working extremely well for a few companies. Herbalife, surprisingly, is now the #2 weight loss company in the United States. The company posted North American weight loss product sales of $529 million in 2012, up 21%. Medifast sales reached a new high of $357 million last year and 65% of this was related to its Take Shape For Life MLM division. Visalis Sciences, another MLM company, saw its sales of meal replacements rise five-fold in 2011, to $220 million in wholesale sales.

Diet Drugs

No blockbusters yet. Large drug companies and the medical community are realizing that developing an effective diet drug with no significant side effects and weight loss in excess of 5% of body weight is more difficult than they thought. Qsymia sales started out very slow in the 4th quarter of 2012 and should increase in 2013, but Marketdata does not expect much of an impact on dieter behavior or competitors from this drug, or from Belviq, slated to enter the market in the coming months.

Untapped Niche Markets

American diet companies will seek to boost revenues by looking at untapped or under-tapped markets and niches, such as: the men’s market, teen market, African-American and Hispanic markets, the diabetic market, the elderly market, the $859 million worksite-based B2B market, and the $6 billion Canadian market.

Retail Diet Pills & Meal Replacements

The weak economy and tighter consumer weight loss budgets definitely helped this “do-it-yourself” category. Dieters are attracted by the low price and easy availability. Marketdata estimates that the combined sales of diet pills and meal replacements was up about 2% to $2.78 billion last year. To 2016, Marketdata forecasts 6% annual gains in sales. The strong momentum is now with meal replacements (shakes, nutrition bars) – not OTC diet pills. Meal replacements are safer for producers – no ingredients that cause side effects. They can also be easily private labeled.

Diet Websites

Online dieting is worth at least $1.1 billion, by our estimates, and is growing 8% per year. Most sites are not profitable and are moving to a user-free, ad-supported model. WeightWatchers.com is #1, with 1.7 million paid subscribers and 2012 revenue of $504 million.

Weight Loss Surgeries

The number of bariatric surgeries is significantly less than reported by the ASMBS (bariatric surgeon’s national society). Surgeries peaked at 135,000 in 2008, according to government healthcare agency data (not 209,000 reported by the ASMBS). However, since then, insurers have gotten tougher on coverage and the number has fallen 15% to an estimated 114,000 last year. This reduced the size of the total weight loss market by $2.6 billion and translated into less business for bariatricians and VLCD programs.

Diet Food Home Delivery Services

This is an $858 million segment of the weight loss market that has declined 7.5% from 2009 levels. NutriSystem captures 46% of sales, but has suffered five consecutive years of declining sales. 2011-2012 continued to be challenging years for all diet food delivery services. Four of them went out of business. Even NutriSystem, which is priced at the low end of $250-$300/month, felt the effects of the recession, cut prices and offered weeks of free food for auto-ship clients. The share of dieters that wants diet food delivery averaged 5.8% over the past eight years, but that fell to 4.5% in 2012.

“Flat is the new growth, as the U.S. weight loss market grew less than 2% in 2012. The U.S. diet market is entering a new era of slow growth, until the economy truly strengthens. Diet companies must find untapped niches, sharpen their marketing, and offer consumers a variety of programs at different price points to compete and survive. They’ll also need to use alternative distribution channels, such as: MLM, retail healthcare mini-clinics, shopping malls, OB/gyn offices, etc.”, according to John LaRosa.

To read the full press release…..Click here

- Courtesy of PRWeb

Childhood Obesity Hits Home

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obesegirlvectorexerciseFrom Your Health Journal…..”I wanted to promote an excellent article I found from the LA Times written by Mary McNamara, who does such a great job with this article – - I had to share it. As you know, childhood obesity is on the rise, as 1 in 3 children are now considered overweight in the United States. Along with this, obesity related diseases are also on the rise, which include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, weak joints, cancer, and asthma. Change is needed, and educating families on healthy lifestyle is important. The author of this article (who states she was overweight as a child) states a deluge of cheap junk food, the ubiquity of high fructose corn syrup and other sugars, the absence of physical education in schools, outrageous marketing aimed at children, cost-cutting in school cafeterias — all make it far too easy for children to eat themselves sick. Well said. PLEASE visit the LA Times web site (link provided below) to read the FULL article. Ms. McNamara does such an excellent job educating her readers on this obesity epidemic facing our youth. Support her work!”

From the article…..

Take it from someone who knows: The struggle with childhood obesity, illustrated vividly on television, is a battle of both the mind and the mouth for an overweight kid.

I was a pioneer of childhood obesity.

By the time I was a junior in high school, I weighed more than 200 pounds. I was a fat kid before being a fat kid made you the topic of a national conversation and the first lady’s pet project, back when Gatorade still tasted gross and no one knew how many calories there were in anything.

For most of my childhood, I was the only fat girl in my class — I can still name the other two fat girls in my grade. Now, fat kids fill the playground and the high school bleachers, including a whole new breed of fat girl who wears skin tight jeans and mid-riffs and dares anyone to say anything. Seeing them, I must admit I am torn between despair and envy.

I never expected to see my childhood reflected on television — overweight young characters are still rare even post-”Hairspray” — but there they are, my modern equivalents, on “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” “Too Fat for 15 and Fighting Back” and, most recently, HBO’s multi-pronged documentary “The Weight of the Nation,” all part of a collective attempt to address America’s childhood obesity epidemic.

According to these shows, and many reports in other media, the root system of this crisis is insidious and widespread. A deluge of cheap junk food, the ubiquity of high fructose corn syrup and other sugars, the absence of physical education in schools, outrageous marketing aimed at children, cost-cutting in school cafeterias — all make it far too easy for children to eat themselves sick.

As a former obese child who fights all these forces to remain a normal-sized adult, I applaud every show, every article, every effort. But here is what I know about being a fat kid: It is at least as much about your head as it is about what you put in your mouth. Yes indeed, bad foods are cheaper and more seductive than healthful foods, and we need to call a cease-fire on the endless barrage of junk kids face. But it is also true that fat kids eat differently than non-fat kids, something that is rarely discussed.

To read the complete article…..Click here

Carolyn Hall – If I Knew Then What I Know Now

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knownow

Life Lessons From Adults To Children
Today’s Guest – Carolyn Hall

1. Your message to kids today that you wish you knew back then what you currently know now. Be specific.

You can have a successful career doing what you love. You can get up every day and love what you do and make money doing it. I allowed toxic/negative relationships interfere with my recognizing this fact.

2. How did you learn your lesson or what was your lesson? Did you get hurt, did you upset someone, did you get scared?

My lesson was that I experienced toxic relationships with my significant other and years went by before I realized I was caught in a vicious cycle of verbal, emotional and mental abuse. Due to that abuse, it affected me focusing on bettering myself and setting personal and professional goals. I was always one who could set a goal and achieve it but when I look back, those goals were always short-term, such as get a car, get a job, get an outfit. What I learned after getting a real good look in the mirror after getting laid off, was that I processed what it took to be secure financially all along because I knew I was smart, intelligent and highly skilled but I always felt a certain part say to myself: your not doing something.

3. What you would have done differently back then if you could turn back time.

When I looked back at what I didn’t do, I realized all I didn’t do was educate myself on the tangible and practical lessons that my parents, teachers and/or mentors/bosses were trying to teach me. Such as how important it is to save money each week from each paycheck, even if that was only $5. Lessons like, never miss paying bills and thinking doubling up on small bills is the route to go. Never to allow anyone to take all of my attention so that I neglected myself. Neglect in areas not like dress or doing my hair but neglect as in not furthering my education, my own financial stability/bank account or my own future for me and my children, like their own accounts, college fund etc. True independence. This was a hugh lesson I failed to get and as my parents especially used to say, to find a mate who compliments your endeavors is a blessing but you must be prepared in life to live and survive on your own no matter what. With your mate and without your mate. When I think about that one simple lesson, the message is clear that they were seeing I was a giver, nurturer and sometimes as that type of person, you forget yourself in it all and all they wanted me to do was to be secure on all levels, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically, which includes financially.

4. Do you convey this message to children in your life today?

Absolutely! Not only do I teach these lessons in words, I show them how. I set up an appointment for my son, who is 23, with a financial planner; I shop, cook, show and discuss woman/mother balancing principals with my 21 yr old new mom in simple ways like maintaining a household, working from home on computer, researching school options and how to keep a bag ready for baby so she can also still go with girlfriends at the drop of a dime. Being spontaneous is important to enjoying life so you don’t loose yourself in taking care of your family but at the same time, she is learning that her family truly does come first and if she has good time management skills and daily routines with most task, it doesn’t get heavy or burdensome and is light so won’t get too overwhelming. The biggest lesson I want her to get out of the things we do together is to realize she is not always going to have the answers and even though she handles things find, she must ask for help or turn to others for suggestions, try new things and keep her own balance. With my last and youngest girl, 15, I have set up a program within our company just for her. It is called Girl’s Daily. It is a forum/support system for girls 14-16 to share, vent, ask, lead, encourage and feel safe to tell secrets, tell what they need to and learn how and where to seek advice on their own. We are even going to have physical lessons to protect self, such as karate, or boxing or just the importance to stay fit enough to run when you have to run.

5. Anything else you`d like to add?

Empowerment, Inspiration, Encouragement and Motivation comes with relating, sharing your mistakes, triumphs and challenges. Being honest about one’s not getting something right the first time around is key because as adults we sometimes come off to youth as know it all and don’t think the young have good and valuable input. When honest with self and them, we both win by opening lines of communication, depending on each other in a variety of healthy positive ways and forms a strong bond to make a difference in others lives.

- Carolyn Hall, President, CL3 Agency

97% Of Kids’ Meals Still Unhealthy

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hamburgervectorFrom Your Health Journal…..”I wanted to promote an excellent article I found written by Barb Berggoetz of The Indianapolis Star entitled 97% of kids’ meals still unhealthy, groups warns. First, the image from the article catches my eye, as it shows back to back to back fast food establishments side by side. As we know, there is an obesity epidemic facing the youth of the world, as well as a rise in obesity related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, asthma, weak joints, and heart disease. Some of the major components to a child’s life that contribute to this health issue are the increase of technology usage, reduction of physical activity, and poor diet. Today’s article review is questioning whether are fast-food restaurant kids’ meals getting healthier? A recent study on fast food found 97 percent of the nearly 3,500 meal possibilities did not meet the center’s nutrition criteria for 4- to 8-year-olds. The criteria from this study says kids’ meals cannot exceed 430 calories, more than 35 percent of calories from fat or more than 10 percent of calories from saturated plus trans fat. They cannot have more than 35 percent added sugars nor more than 770 milligrams of sodium. Also, they must provide at least a half serving of fruit or vegetable, including an item that is 51 percent or more whole grain or including specified levels of vitamins or fiber. The criteria exclude sugar drinks, in favor of water, juice or low-fat milk. Please visit the Indy Star’s web site (link provided below) to read this complete article. It was well written and very informative.”

From the article…..

Are fast-food restaurant kids’ meals getting healthier?

Sure, some have added apples or offer milk as a drink option. And with all the attention on childhood obesity and good nutrition, one might think significant changes were under way.

Not so, at least according to a recent survey by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization focusing on nutrition and food safety.

The group’s report found 97 percent of the nearly 3,500 meal possibilities did not meet the center’s nutrition criteria for 4- to 8-year-olds.

Only slight progress has been made since 2008, when the center last reviewed kids’ meals at chain restaurants. At that time, 99 percent of the meals didn’t meet its standards. In 2008, one-third of chain restaurants had at least one meal that met standards. Now, 44 percent do.

Registered dietitian Heather Fink, though, says it’s up to individuals to make healthier choices.

“It’s a parent’s decision in most cases,” said Fink, owner of Nutrition & Wellness Solutions, a nutrition consulting firm in Fishers. “The parents should be in charge of choosing a healthier option. If you want a healthier meal, just don’t go to fast food restaurants. I wouldn’t expect them to be healthy.”

The criteria say kids’ meals cannot exceed 430 calories, more than 35 percent of calories from fat or more than 10 percent of calories from saturated plus trans fat. They cannot have more than 35 percent added sugars nor more than 770 milligrams of sodium. Also, they must provide at least a half serving of fruit or vegetable, including an item that is 51 percent or more whole grain or including specified levels of vitamins or fiber. The criteria exclude sugar drinks, in favor of water, juice or low-fat milk.

To read the complete article…..Click here