Los Angeles Times

Monday, July 9, 2001

Media Mix

By Jane E. Allen

Improving Kids’ Eating Habits

“Sugar Buster!” became a best-seller soon after its 1998 release because it gave people a clear-cut way to recognize and avoid the sugary foods, simple carbohydrates and processed foods that can pack on the pounds.

The idea was to help readers make lifelong adjustments in eating and exercise to avoid diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. The plan centers on reducing the consumption of refined-sugar foods—the obvious ones such as candies, cakes and sodas, and the less obvious ones, such as white rice and potatoes, carrots and beets, because the body turns excess sugar into fat. Followers of the plan are instructed to substitute whole grains, vegetables and low sugar fruits into a plan that is 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat.

Now, the authors have modified their first book to help parents tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity—one of every four U.S. children is overweight. They recommend that kids consume a diet of 50% carbs (of the high-fiber, whole-grain variety), 30% fat and 20% protein.

“Sugar Busters! for Kids” should appeal to families already following the basic Sugar Busters guidelines and others trying to help instill decent eating habits in their kids.

Although it may be hard to get kids off fast food and sugar-sweetened breakfast cereals, this book suggest gradual substitutions, some ways to encourage better eating behaviors, and sitting kids down for a family dinner, which tends to be more nutritious than dinner-on-the-run.

It targets the “terrible trio” of sugary sodas, French fries and candy, which offer little nutritional value, and lays out menus targeted to various ages and tastes, complete with recipes.

The Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal, with its unsweetened apple juice and walnuts, sounded great, as did the chicken-sausage gumbo, turkey burgers, and chicken fajitas. Healthful, it seems, doesn’t have to be boring.