Childhood Foods Not Best Choices For Adults
Smart Food Choices Ease Transition Into Healthy Lifestyle
UPDATED: 6:01 p.m. EST March 19, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- You may act your age, but do you eat like it? If you still eat the foods you loved as a child, it may have an unwanted effect on your adult body.
"We're still thinking we can eat like we did at 21," said Dr. Shirley Kindrick, a dietician at The Ohio State University. "If we don't make a change, we'll find a lot of extra weight."
Kindrick specified why childhood foods are unhealthy for adults and identified tips for transitioning into healthier adult alternatives.
Macaroni and cheese is a refined carbohydrate that remains a staple of childhood diets. Kindrick recommended substituting whole-wheat pasta for an adult diet.
Experts believe it is possible to still indulge in the tastes and textures enjoyed as children.
If hamburgers were a necessity in the childhood diet, soy burgers can serve as a tasty substitute. Kindrick said the protein of soy can also lower the risk for prostate cancer and heart disease.
Other healthy, high-fiber foods can be found in produce.
"The dark blue color (of blueberries and grapes) tells us they're full of vital nutrients, have antioxidant properties and help us protect ourselves against cancers and heart disease," Kindrick said.
The darker the color, the better the produce is for the body. Kiwi is an excellent source of Vitamin C, and broccoli is helpful for former smokers who want to eliminate carcinogens.
To protect eyesight, dark and leafy greens can prove helpful.
"Just like with the fruits, we're looking for color. With more color, you'll find more nutrients there," Kindrick said.
A dark beer can also be healthy, in moderation. Experts recommend one glass a day to keep the heart healthy.
Dieticians recommend a well-balanced diet, with whole-grain cereals for the colon and sardines to boost brain activity.
Kindrick believes it is never too late to learn how to fuel the body with the fittest foods.
Eating the right foods can also save money on medication by providing vitamins and minerals without side effects.
Additional Resources:
"We're still thinking we can eat like we did at 21," said Dr. Shirley Kindrick, a dietician at The Ohio State University. "If we don't make a change, we'll find a lot of extra weight."
Kindrick specified why childhood foods are unhealthy for adults and identified tips for transitioning into healthier adult alternatives.
Macaroni and cheese is a refined carbohydrate that remains a staple of childhood diets. Kindrick recommended substituting whole-wheat pasta for an adult diet.
Experts believe it is possible to still indulge in the tastes and textures enjoyed as children.
If hamburgers were a necessity in the childhood diet, soy burgers can serve as a tasty substitute. Kindrick said the protein of soy can also lower the risk for prostate cancer and heart disease.
Other healthy, high-fiber foods can be found in produce.
"The dark blue color (of blueberries and grapes) tells us they're full of vital nutrients, have antioxidant properties and help us protect ourselves against cancers and heart disease," Kindrick said.
The darker the color, the better the produce is for the body. Kiwi is an excellent source of Vitamin C, and broccoli is helpful for former smokers who want to eliminate carcinogens.
To protect eyesight, dark and leafy greens can prove helpful.
"Just like with the fruits, we're looking for color. With more color, you'll find more nutrients there," Kindrick said.
A dark beer can also be healthy, in moderation. Experts recommend one glass a day to keep the heart healthy.
Dieticians recommend a well-balanced diet, with whole-grain cereals for the colon and sardines to boost brain activity.
Kindrick believes it is never too late to learn how to fuel the body with the fittest foods.
Eating the right foods can also save money on medication by providing vitamins and minerals without side effects.
Additional Resources:
- Food and Nutrition Information Center
- American Dietetic Association
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans
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