A television advertisement of a global fast food chain shows a little boy buying a burger for his equally little `girlfriend’. The advertisements basic aim is to show the company's fast food as so affordable, that everyone can buy it. Even kids.
I would love to diss this multinational`s marketing ploy of targeting young children, but many health bodies are already at it. Instead this post focuses on how you can help your child not get swayed by these, and similar advertisements which promote food which is not only expensive but also high in overall calories, fat and sugar and low on health.
While occasional treats are alright, whats not is not alright is if the child begins to think of fast food as-nice, exciting, hip and a mandatory item to consume.
Here is what you can do when an all powerful junk food advertisement comes on TV:
I would love to diss this multinational`s marketing ploy of targeting young children, but many health bodies are already at it. Instead this post focuses on how you can help your child not get swayed by these, and similar advertisements which promote food which is not only expensive but also high in overall calories, fat and sugar and low on health.
While occasional treats are alright, whats not is not alright is if the child begins to think of fast food as-nice, exciting, hip and a mandatory item to consume.
Here is what you can do when an all powerful junk food advertisement comes on TV:
Don`t criticize the food being advertised: Avoid saying that burgers are bad and French fries are terrible. It might make your child want that food more. Instead try giving examples of what it might do to eat lots of burgers or fries.
Example: "If you want to eat a burger every week then you wont be able run very fast in that school race."
Discuss the food commercial with them: Next time a fast food commercial is on, have a fun session with your kid where you can sit and discuss what all went into making the food being advertised.
If its a burger, talk about the mayonnaise, the cutlet, the butter, the lettuce and more. Try telling her the merits and demerits of individual items, and sum up by emphasizing on how the demerits are more in number.
Kids dont get attracted by words like `good health’ so you have to use kidspeak like: "If you eat that fast food you will feel less energetic, do you want to feel tired during your play time?"
Example: "If you want to eat a burger every week then you wont be able run very fast in that school race."
Discuss the food commercial with them: Next time a fast food commercial is on, have a fun session with your kid where you can sit and discuss what all went into making the food being advertised.
If its a burger, talk about the mayonnaise, the cutlet, the butter, the lettuce and more. Try telling her the merits and demerits of individual items, and sum up by emphasizing on how the demerits are more in number.
Kids dont get attracted by words like `good health’ so you have to use kidspeak like: "If you eat that fast food you will feel less energetic, do you want to feel tired during your play time?"
Television is not reality: Over time explain to your children that the characters (including child artistes) in a commercial are professionals called actors. And, that its not real. Explain that the aunty who features in the ad and her kiddos, dont really eat instant noodles or huge jars of ice cream daily in their real lives.
Negotiate on the fast food requests: Set a bar on the number of times your child can indulge in fast food at school or with the family. Give reasons why you are setting this bar using kidspeak as discussed above. Remember not make the bar sound as if it were a punishment.
Negotiate on the fast food requests: Set a bar on the number of times your child can indulge in fast food at school or with the family. Give reasons why you are setting this bar using kidspeak as discussed above. Remember not make the bar sound as if it were a punishment.
Set a fast food budget: Works for older kids. Its simple. Allot a prefixed amount of money for their fast food expenses. The fast food is ruled out when that month's or week's `fast food money' runs out. You will have to do a little homework prior to doing this. Find out the average expense per person, during one visit to a fast food joint and allot money as per the number of visits you want to restrict your child to.
Everything written above is to be implemented very, very, gradually. Resist the temptation of implementing it in one shot. It may backfire.
Children can wear you out into giving into their demands. Children may also not be cooperative and listen to everything you say. But, what they don't know and that you will know (eventually) is that persistence in incorporating good eating habits pays.
Everything written above is to be implemented very, very, gradually. Resist the temptation of implementing it in one shot. It may backfire.
Children can wear you out into giving into their demands. Children may also not be cooperative and listen to everything you say. But, what they don't know and that you will know (eventually) is that persistence in incorporating good eating habits pays.
The
Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa.
Contents of this blog post (excluding images) are the
exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of
Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge
and information of the reader and not to be construed as
medical advice. If you want to use the post contents,
kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this
blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If
not, no content will be copied, reproduced,
republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form
or means, including print and electronic media.
Copyright and IP infringements will be taken
seriously. For queries contact nutrewise@gmail.com
