'Good Job, Bobby! Have Some Saturated Fat!' Do your children’s SW Florida school teachers reward good behavior with candy or cookies? Don’t you think it’s a little strange to reward Punta Gorda children with something that is bad for them?

Using unhealthy food as a token of merit undermines SW Florida nutrition education and encourages over-consumption of foods high in added sugar and fat. It can also set a precedent for emotional eating, prompting Florida kids to eat when they’re not really hungry.

According to a recent study in The Journal of the American Medical Association, over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool age children and tripled for children aged 6-11 years. In short, about 20 percent of children are obese. Our children here in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Venice are no exception.

As a child health advocate based in Punta Gorda, I encourage all Florida parents to use non-food alternatives when rewarding good behavior.

 

I reward my kids with a trip to the Port Charlotte library or more outside play time. Food is used to fuel our bodies, not to reward us for doing things we should be doing anyway.

When my kids have had an active day at their favorite Port Charlotte park we refuel with nuts and blueberries, which are loaded with antioxidants. Another favorite snack we like to eat to recharge is made from the cacao plant and is also packed with antioxidants.

For more information about this delicious SW Florida kid-friendly snack and other children’s favorites, please contact me today. Thanks for visiting my Punta Gorda children’s nutrition blog.

Healthy Chocolate Consultant Lynette Henk
Punta Gorda, Florida 33983 941-216-5727 [email protected]
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