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Nutrition Myths and Facts for Parents

Review Date 4/13 K-0664

Information Overload

With so much information thrown at you, it is easy to become overwhelmed and confused.

Conflicting Nutrition Advice

• Talk shows• News alerts • Family advice• Parenting magazines•Day care centers•Mommy blogs

Agenda

•Discuss five common nutrition myths• Present the science-based truth• Provide practical feeding solutions

Myth 1: Sugar-sweetened foods cause kids to become

“hyper.”Fact: Although many parents disagree, sugar does not cause

hyperactivity.

The Evidence• Currently no convincing, scientific evidence supports any link between eating sugary foods and hyperactivity• Sugar is most often wrongly accused• Snack foods, games, and a room full of friends combined=EXCITEMENT!

The SolutionFor parties and special occasions:• Stay active with your child on the day of the event• Eat a light meal before the celebration • Offer to bring a healthy snack or dessert item • In general, limiting sugar-sweetened foods is a good idea: – High-sugar foods have fewer vitamins and

minerals, provide excessive calories, and are a major cause of tooth decay

Myth 2: Children must eat red meat to prevent anemia.

Fact: Vegetarians and vegans can meet all dietary recommendations

through a well-planned diet during all life

stages.

The Evidence• According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, appropriately planned vegetarian diets, are:– Healthful– Nutritionally adequate– Appropriate during all stages of the life

cycle

The Evidence (cont’d)

• Plant-based iron-rich foods include:– Beans– Legumes– Tofu– Soy– Green leafy vegetables– Dried fruit– Iron-fortified cereal–Whole grains

The Evidence (cont’d)

•Offer plenty of plant-based, iron-rich foods, if you choose not to serve red meat to your child• Serve an iron-fortified cereal for breakfast• Provide dried fruit and whole-grain crackers as snacks• Prepare chili with beans and green leafy vegetables for lunch or dinner

Myth 3: Milk is a must for strong bones.

Fact: Calcium is a must for strong bones. There are many sources of

calcium other than milk.

The Evidence• Children are able to meet the dietary requirements for calcium without drinking milk or any other dairy products •Nondairy sources of calcium:– Dark-green leafy vegetables– Broccoli– Cooked dried beans– Peas– Fortified juices

The Solution• Incorporate nondairy sources of calcium into the diet, if you choose to avoid dairy•Make a fruit smoothie with green leafy vegetables• Prepare broccoli with fun dipping sauces

Myth 4: As long as I provide a daily multivitamin, my

child is covered nutritionally.

Fact: A multivitamin cannot replace the health benefits of eating healthy

foods every day.

The Evidence•More research is needed to determine if multivitamin supplementation provides any health benefits• To meet the daily needs of various vitamins and minerals, increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

The Solution• Use the $20 you would spend on a multivitamin and buy more fruits and vegetables•Wash and store produce in a visible and child-accessible location• Prepare whole-grain toast with a fruit smoothie for breakfast•Offer fun-shaped fruits and vegetables with fun dips for an after-school snack

Myth 5: Children should eat low-fat diets.

Fact: Fat is an important nutrient in a child’s diet. It supports various bodily functions and is required for proper organ development.

The Evidence• The role of dietary fat:– Supplies the body with energy– Aids in the absorption of some vitamins– Facilitates brain development– Insulates and protects organs

The Evidence (cont’d)

• Fat also contains excessive calories and is related to overweight and obesity, if consumed in excess•Do not restrict dietary fat in children younger than 2 years of age, because this is a crucial time for brain development

The Solution• Practice portion control• Teach your child that high-fat foods are a treat you can eat on occasion• If excess weight is a concern, focus on increasing physical activity levels, rather than restricting the diet

Conclusion• Set the example• Encourage positive behaviors and decisions• Seek scientifically based recommendations

Resources•Busting the sugar-hyperactivity myth. WebMD Web site. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/busting-sugar-hyperactivity-myth?page=2. Accessed April 23, 2013. •Calcium. Nutrition411 Web site. http://www.nutrition411.com/component/k2/item/436-calcium. Accessed April 23, 2013.•Craig WJ, Mangels AR; American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(7):1266-1282. • Fats and your child. KidsHealth® Web site. http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/fat.html#. Accessed April 23, 2013. • Iron deficiency anemia. Nutrition411 Web site. http://www.nutrition411.com/component/k2/item/509-iron-deficiency-anemia. Accessed April 23, 2013.•US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. With benefits unproven, why do millions of Americans take multivitamins? MedlinePlus Web site. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_133698.html. Accessed April 23, 2013.