Eat French fries as a meal! 30% of school children have red flags when eating out

Children's Day is approaching, and a survey found that "30% of school children in New Taipei City eat out for dinner and eat French fries as meals." This situation is quite serious and worrying. Nutritionists remind parents that they should spend more time with their children, help them develop correct dietary concepts, refuse junk food, eat less and exercise more, which is the only way to maintain health and a strong head.

The problem of eating out among school children in the country is very serious. Nutritionists are worried that using junk food as the staple food may have an impact on children's health.

Luan Jiajing, a nutritionist at the consulting clinic of New Taipei City's Asia Eastern Hospital, pointed out that a survey found that about 30% of senior elementary school students have the opportunity to eat out alone every week, and as many as 60% of children have picky eating habits, eat randomly, like snacks, and eat out to save money. For children and adolescents, unbalanced diet will affect their growth and development, and may lead to obesity, or cardiovascular and other related diseases, which requires the attention of parents and relevant departments.

It should be noted that if children start eating too much junk food from school age, they may easily become overweight or obese, or suffer from growth retardation due to unbalanced diet and malnutrition. In addition, eating too much high-fat food can lead to behavioral changes. Even before weight gain, excessive fat can cause anxious behavior and learning disabilities. Parents and children should know this.

【Four tips to stay away from junk food】:

1. Family supervision and companionship: Even if you are busy at work, you should still take the responsibility of supervising and managing your children's diet and health, instill the concept of healthy and balanced diet in your children, and help them develop the good habit of eating more healthy food.

2. Correct eating habits: You should understand your child’s daily eating habits. If you are too busy to cook for them yourself, you should accompany your child to choose food out and teach them the correct eating concepts. Also avoid junk food at home. Do not use junk food as rewards as it can easily give children the wrong idea.

3. Vegetable and Fruit 579 Diet: For preschool children aged 2 to 6, the correct amount of vegetable and fruit intake should be 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits per day, including 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits; school children, girls and all female adults over 6 years old should consume 7 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits per day, including 4 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruits; while teenagers and all male adults should consume 9 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits per day, including 5 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruits.

4. Eat less and exercise more: prepare more healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits as snacks to replace junk foods such as French fries, potato chips or candies. Replace coffee, cola, root beer and other beverages with fresh pure fruit and vegetable juices. Develop a habit of eating three meals a day at regular times and in regular amounts. Encourage children to exercise more to maintain an ideal weight and keep them away from obesity.