Childhood obesity – It saddens me on so many levels.  Why?  Because for the most part, it is a preventable and avoidable condition.   Obesity at any age creates an increase in the risk factors for a whole host of other devastating diseases such as  Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease  and many types of cancer.    But let’s not forget about the other side of obesity, the side that carries the psychological stigma of being overweight.  The stigma that leads to poor self-esteem and of course bullying.  If you as a child or parent had it in your power to prevent or reverse this overweight condition, why wouldn’t you?  Our natural inclination in life is to live.  For example, if you were walking along a cliff and slipped, your natural inclination would be to grab something to help get your footing back so you don’t fall.  Falling could mean death.  Or maybe you were swimming and a shark attacked you, you would scream out for help.  It’s our natural inclination to thrive in life.  So why is it that we don’t take better care of our health?  Probably because most of us are not educated in the area of nutrition.  If overweight parents have not been educated with basic nutrition knowledge, how can one expect the child of these parents to not fall victim to the same path in life.  Education is the key to prevention, without it we cannot expect these growing childhood obesity statistics to begin their decline.  It must begin with education and then action.  It’s about making healthy choices, making the decision to not become victim to an illness that could otherwise be avoidable.  When you consider there are illnesses such as leukemia, cancer and cystic fibrosis  that develop in young children to no fault of their own, why wouldn’t you want to prevent that which is within your control.   Children are not in control of getting these diseases, but with the prevention of obesity they could be in control  of avoiding other diseases that are preventable.  Shouldn’t it be a natural inclination to eat foods that make us feel better not sluggish and worse still, become overweight?  Sometimes the answer is right there in front of us.  Sometimes the answer is us.  We decide, we make our choices.  Why not choose to live the best life possible?  Healthy living is just a decision away.

My go to shake is probably the easiest to make. One cup of almond milk, half of a banana and a dash of cinnamon. I throw in a few ice cubes to get it cold and frothy. Parents, this is a great way to ween kids away from drinking soda at the table with dinner. It’s delicious, nutritious and of course quick and easy to make just before sitting down to eat. Experiment with what your kids enjoy. Throw a little yogurt in, add a few strawberries with the banana or just use the strawberries alone. Cinnamon is always a wonderful flavor enhancer. TIPS FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIENCE: In the summer when fruit is fresh and inexpensive, buy and freeze. In the winter when you run out, look for sales in the frozen food section for fruit and stock up. Try not to buy any with “added sugar”. And lastly, bananas! How I love bananas. Never throw another banana in the trash. If you buy a bunch and they are ripening too quickly for you. Peel it, put it in a freezer bag and store it. It will go brown which just means it’s now sweeter These are great for shakes, (or banana bread) you won’t need any ice when you use a frozen banana. Enjoy, I think I’ll go make one now!

People ask me all the time, how are we ever going to turn around these childhood obesity statistics.  I don’t believe there is one answer, but what I do know is this, our children’s lives have become so structured with after-school activities such as soccer and baseball that when it comes time to  just go outside and play, they don’t even know where to begin?  If left to their own devices that’s exactly what they would do, turn on their devices and play games on the computer or watch television.  We need to get them on their feet and moving  and socially active again, their dietary needs will naturally change because the more active they become  the more hungry they will be, and the more hungry they are the more apt they will be to eat good wholesome food.  They will begin to understand how good food nourishes, while  junk food does not, and soda won’t quench a thirst, but water will.

With childhood obesity running rampant in this country, Louise has taken action. Utilizing her skills as a teacher and her study of nutrition, inventing the game All You Can Eat was a natural progression.

Her hope is that more children will be exposed to this information and that good nutrition will begin to take root in their young lives and a whole new healthier generation will arise in the future.