Candy or Carrot Sticks for Children?

Parents introduce unhealthy diets to their children for numerous reasons. Since most parents live eventful lifestyles and work strict schedules, they often choose to feed their children quick meals such as microwavable meals and fast food. Parents also feed their children unhealthy foods because the parents have been uneducated about what types of foods should be included in daily, healthy diets. When children irritate their parents by pleading for candy and junk food, parents often surrender to their children’s pleas so the children discontinue begging. Many parents fail to monitor what their children consume because these parents believe nutritious diets are not important; however, healthy eating benefits children in several ways.
Children must attend school to learn skills that help them be independent. The article, Eat Well, Learn Well, states “. . . there is a connection between what children eat and how they learn” (Eat Well 1). According to this article, research proves that when children eat healthy foods such as bread, fruits, and vegetables, they learn better than children who consume large amounts of sugar and caffeine. Certain types of food recommended for children include carbohydrates, which increase children’s energy and allow them to remain focused while they are in school. For example, Eat Well, Learn Well suggests that children should consume six servings of carbohydrates every day to help them learn, and the article continues to explain, “A serving might be one slice of bread, one ounce of cereal, or a half-cup of cooked pasta” (Eat Well 1). When children eat healthy breakfasts, they also learn better and receive better grades for their school work than children who eat unhealthy breakfasts or do not eat break...

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... and positively affect them later in life. Parents can benefit children by monitoring what the parents feed their children and by feeding their children appropriate amounts of healthy, nutritious foods daily.

Works Cited

Birkett, Dea. "The Veg That Dare Not Speak Its Name." New Statesman 134.4743 (2005): 28. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
"Eat Well, Learn Well." Reading Today 19.5 (2002): 12. Literary Reference Center. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
"EDITORIAL: Children, adults can benefit from changes in eating and activity." Greeley Tribune (CO) 08 Oct. 2008: Newspaper Source. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
"Healthy Childhood Eating Habits Reap Lifelong Benefits." Hudson Valley Business Journal 11.17 (2000): 7. Regional Business News. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
Sears, William. "The Truth About Healthy Eating." Parenting 16.1 (2002): 60. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.