With the focus in our society shifting to eating well and staying fit, more
food products for kids feature blurbs like “more calcium” and “made with whole
grains.” These words can be deceiving to parents who are pressed for time and
look at the information on the front of the box to decide whether or not the
product is suitable for their children.

The key is to look at the actual ingredient list on the box of the package,
can, or bag. The important information is almost always in the fine print. When
you visit a typical grocery store, the majority of foods and beverages designed
for kids are chockful of unhealthy ingredients. Sure, natural and organic snacks
are showing up on the shelves, but the majority of food products geared towards
children still contain transfats, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial dyes and
flavors. Many of these items, especially breakfast and snack foods, masquerade
as healthy choices, fooling parents who don’t take the time to read the most
important part of the package--the ingredient list.

Let’s take a minute to look at what’s in some food products designed for
children (all leading brands):

Strawberry Toaster Pastries

• High fructose corn syrup
  
• Partially hydrogenated soybean oil (transfat)
  
• Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 6

Strawberry Cereal Bar

• High fructose corn syrup
  
• Artificial strawberry flavor
  
• Red No. 40
  
• Zinc Oxide (yeah, the ingredient in sunblock and diaper cream)

Chewy Fruit Snacks

• Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil (transfat)
  
• Red No. 40

Marshmallow/Oats Breakfast Cereal

• Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 40, Red 3 (associated with cancer)
  
• Artificial flavors

Fruit Punch

• High fructose corn syrup
  
• Artificial flavors
  
• Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1

Cheesy Pizza Lunch Kit

• High fructose corn syrup
  
• Artificial flavors

Mini Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

• High fructose corn syrup
  
• Partially hydrogenated soybean oil (transfat)
  
• Artificial flavors
  

This is just a small sampling to demonstrate how foods found in the
supermarket that are geared to kids are rarely actually good for them. Too many
parents glance at the front of the box instead of taking the time to read the
ingredient list.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when buying food and
beverages your children:

1. Avoid transfats such as “partially hydrogenated soybean oil” which are found
   in many children’s foods. Keep in mind that good fats (nut butter, avocados,
   etc) should absolutely not be avoided and are necessary for brain development,
   even in older children and teens.
   
2. Stay away from products with high fructose corn syrup, a highly processed
   sweetener that’s been used since the 1970’s in soft drinks and other products.
   It has been linked to health problems and some children react behaviorally after
   ingesting it. This one is particularly hard to avoid, so buying organic snacks
   and breakfast foods at the health food store or in the organic section is the
   best way to go.
   
3. Avoid artificial dyes, flavors, and sweeteners. Artificial dyes are usually
   derived from petroleum and cause behavioral reactions in many kids. Even if they
   don’t cause behavioral reactions, they’re simply not good for your children and
   may even be linked to neurological problems. Remember that your goal is to
   provide natural foods for your children that will give them the nutrients
   they need during these important years of growth and development. Also beware of
   items that say “low sugar” or “no sugar added” because these often have
   artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame.

It's never too late!

Remember that it’s never too late to start reading labels. It may take you a
little longer to shop at first, but you’ll get to the point where you know which
products to avoid without spending an hour at the store. It might be best to go
without the children if you’re eliminating some of their favorite products.
Alternatives can be found for almost all of these foods and beverages, either at
your local health food store or in the organic section of your favorite
supermarket. What you can’t find, you can make yourself! Homemade cookies are
nutritionally superior to store-bought cookies, and baking together is a great
way to spend time with your children. Remember to avoid foods that are processed
as much as possible. More processed foods contain more additives. Fresher is
always better when shopping for your family. Aren’t your little ones worth it?

Recommended Reading:

Brain Foods for Kids

Twelve Tips for Choosing Breakfast Cereals

Ingredient lists found on Walgreens.com, Kraftfoods.com, and
Hawaiianpunch.com