Growing boys need more whole grains
Categories: Nutrition & Supplements
My boys need more whole grains. All because they are bucking my system and asking me to 86 sandwiches from their packed school lunches. Once fans of peanut butter on whole wheat bread, they now like yogurt and cottage cheese (at least it's low-fat) as their main lunch items. They still get pretty healthy lunches -- fruit, sometimes veggies, flavored water, and a small treat are tag-alongs in their respective Superman and camouflage boxes -- but I'm worried about the absent whole grains. They need at least two to three servings per day, after all, and I'm not sure they're getting them.
I've been doing some digging and have found some alternative methods forsneaking incorporating whole grains into my boys' diets. Here's what I plan to do.
A good start, I think. And if I can try to feed them something whole-grain at every meal -- this is good advice for adults too, you know: Eat whole grains at every meal -- then they'll be growing in just the right healthy direction.
I've been doing some digging and have found some alternative methods for
- Stir a handful of oats into yogurt for a quick crunch -- ah, good idea.
- Add three-quarters of a cup of uncooked oats for each pound of ground beef or turkey when making meatballs, burgers, or meatloaf -- we have turkey meatballs once a week, so this will work.
- Use whole-grain pasta -- aha, we already do.
- Serve whole-grain cereals for breakfast -- we'll hunt some down next time we go shopping.
- Serve whole-grain toast for breakfast too -- the bread's already here, just need to whip up some tasty toast.
- Serve popcorn for a snack (no butter, no salt, air popped) -- they like popcorn: Score!
A good start, I think. And if I can try to feed them something whole-grain at every meal -- this is good advice for adults too, you know: Eat whole grains at every meal -- then they'll be growing in just the right healthy direction.
Recent Posts
- Heidi Klum Hits The Runway After Baby (11/20/2009)
- Thanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebrate (11/20/2009)
- Cheesy Workout Video Round-up (11/20/2009)
- Kim Kardashian's Sexy Salad Commercial (11/20/2009)
- Simple Thanksgiving Swaps (11/20/2009)
























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mdsisson 9-24-2008 @ 2:54PM
Jacki. Ouch. It pains me to hear you suggest that your boys need more whole grains. Or that any of us do for that matter. Why, in the face of so much evidence to the contrary, our USDA and dieticians keep telling us to base our diet on grains is beyond me. There is nothing particularly healthy about grains - whole or otherwise. Too many carbs, difficult-to-digest gluten, lectins and phytates that bind with minerals, useless or harmful fibers, etc etc. I wrote this piece a few months ago, but would like to hear your take after reading it. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-grains/
There are many hundreds of suitable choices for healthy diets even after eliminating - or at least cutting back on - grains. Sorry for the rant, but I believe eliminating grains is the most important thing onbe can do.
Reply
Marissa 9-24-2008 @ 3:56PM
I wholeheartedly agree with the previous poster. Grains are NOT necessary for a healthy diet, in fact there is much evidence that says grains hinder health. Humans just weren't designed to eat grains. I cut most grains from my diet 2 years ago, along with sugar and was able to lost 144 lbs.
I highly recommend this blog: http://www.modernforager.com/blog/
and the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Grains are unnecessary.