2/3/10 Katie's Healthy Eating Journal: Wednesday

Today I was so saddened when I realized what the nutritious of one of my students (who's nine years old) consisted of on a daily basis.  He eats fruit loops, peanut butter and jelly on white bread, a banana, sour cream and onion chips, kool-aid, and chocolate.  That's it.  He said he doesn't eat vegetables at all.  Wow.   When we have food in our classroom (usually cooking or making something to aide in an academic goal) my rule is that all my students have to take at least one bite and try it.  This particular student that I mentioned above acts as if I've poisoned him when I have made him try mashed potatoes, a doughnut, and peanut butter crackers.  I'm so concerned because it seems as if he's been very sheltered, cognitively and including his sense of taste. , without any stimulation.  He has been stunted by foods high in sugar, white flour, and high fat.  Where are the fruits and vegetables?  Please tell me that this isn't an epidemic.  Have we chosen to give our kids these horrible lack of nutritious meals because they're cheap?  What is the reason?  It's evident that the sugar has caused my student to "crash."  He is literally a slug when he is in school.  The only time he acts as if he has any energy is when he realizes it's time to go home.  I just can't say it enough, I'm so worried about America's youth.  Look at the life-long habits some parents are instilling in their children...

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast - 

1/4 cup Break-free eggs, 100 calorie English Muffin, 1 Morning Star Veggie Sausage

Banana

1 cup fat-free organic milk

Lunch - 

2 slices of whole wheat bread toasted with 2 oz. of canned chicken and a 1/2 a slice of fat-free swiss cheese on each piece

Celery with fat-free ranch

Sugar-free jello

Fat-free yogurt

Snack - 

Apple

Dinner - 

1/6 Boboli pizza with 1/4 cup fat-free cheese, 1/4 cup pizza sauce

Salad (mixed greens, tomato, pepper, croutons)

Snack - 

1/2 cup Active Lifestyle Ice Cream